Marsabit County is on the brink of a major administrative transformation as the national government moves to operationalize several long-awaited sub counties in a bid to enhance service delivery across the expansive northern region.
Speaking today at Africa Inland Church Loglogo,in Marsabit county President William Ruto who was accompanied by Interior Cabinet secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assured the residents that the government had finalized arrangements to open additional administrative units in a few weeks .
He announced that Uran Sub County would be the first to take effect, with a Deputy County Commissioner already lined up for deployment.
The President said Sagante and Jaldesa will also be operationalized within two to three weeks to improve service delivery in the region.
The Head of State urged community members and local leaders pushing for recognition of more administrative units to follow the constitutional process by presenting proposals to the relevant government offices.
He noted that while the government remained committed to bringing services closer to the people, new administrative areas must be created in line with legal and structural guidelines.
The rollout of new sub counties comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to decentralise essential public services, especially in regions that have historically lagged behind in access to state resources and development initiatives.
According to the president Marsabit is one of Kenya’s largest counties by land size that has often faced unique logistical challenges with residents in remote locations travelling long distances to reach government offices.
Kipchumba speaking during the church 60 years celebration ceremony, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening local administration as a pathway to equitable development.
Murkomen said the government is deliberately prioritising marginalised areas in its decentralisation agenda.
‘With Korr and Ileret sub counties now fully operational, the ministry is mobilising resources to operationalize more gazetted units so that residents can receive government services nearer to their homes,’ said Murkomen .
The CS further noted that effective administration was a critical building block for security, economic growth and social cohesion.
He added that improved state presence would support better coordination of development programmes, disaster response and community empowerment initiatives.
Murkomen also highlighted the ongoing Usajili Mashinani mobile registration campaign, which aims to issue identification cards to more than 72,000 eligible residents who for years have remained undocumented.
The exercise seeks to address long-standing gaps that have hindered locals from accessing government services, bursaries, employment opportunities and financial programmes.
He said the government is committed to inclusivity to ensure that all Kenyans especially those in previously underserved areas can access essential services and opportunities
Local leaders and residents at the celebration welcomed the announcements, saying the new administrative units would help bridge the service delivery gap that has persisted for decades.
Many acknowledged that Marsabit’s vast terrain and poor road connectivity have made it difficult for communities to fully benefit from government operations.
Ruto however noted that the move to expand local administration also aligns with the government’s broader strategy to entrench national presence in border counties where development indicators remain lower than the national average.
‘New units will fast track implementation of national programmes and developments ranging from security, education, infrastructure,health ,Agriculture and electricity connectivity among others,” added the president .
