President Ruto Declares Northern Kenya Holds Future of Agriculture

President William Ruto has positioned Northern Kenya as the key to the country's agricultural future. Speaking in Garbatulla on February 11, 2026, during an inspection of the 750-kilometre Isiolo–Mandera road, Ruto said the tarmacking of this corridor and the Isiolo–Garissa–Lamu route will open up the region for development.

He described the improved connectivity as essential for realising a long-term vision of food security. “It will also actualise our vision of being a food-secure country in the long-run,” Ruto said. The president added that the government would continue building roads to link every part of Kenya and harness untapped potential.

The Isiolo–Mandera road, part of the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project, stands at 45 per cent completion. This corridor traverses arid and semi-arid lands in counties including Isiolo, Garissa and Mandera, where pastoralism dominates and rain-fed farming remains limited by low rainfall and poor soil moisture retention. Better roads are expected to ease movement of inputs, produce and machinery, supporting shifts toward irrigated crop production in suitable pockets.

Northern Kenya's vast landmass and seasonal river systems offer scope for large-scale agriculture if water capture and distribution improve. The region has historically lagged in commercial farming due to infrastructure gaps, but targeted interventions could change that dynamic. Ruto's remarks build on national efforts to expand irrigation in ASAL areas through dams and schemes.

The government has outlined plans to start construction on six mega dams in 2026, including Lowaat in Turkana and Radat in Baringo, as part of a broader commitment to 50 mega dams nationwide. These projects aim to bring millions of acres under irrigation, focusing on arid zones to boost food production and climate resilience. Earlier pledges include 200 medium dams and thousands of smaller ones to support up to 2.5 million acres overall, with emphasis on northern and coastal regions.

Road upgrades complement water infrastructure by improving access for construction materials, equipment and labour to remote dam sites. They also facilitate transport of harvested crops to markets, reducing post-harvest losses that plague ASAL farmers. The Isiolo–Mandera project, funded through regional development initiatives, exemplifies this integrated approach.

Ruto addressed Garissa residents during the visit, reinforcing that connectivity will drive economic activity beyond livestock. The statement aligns with ongoing national priorities to reduce food import dependency and strengthen domestic supply chains.

For the construction sector, these road and potential dam works sustain demand in civil engineering, earthmoving, asphalt paving and hydraulic structures. Local firms in northern counties often secure subcontracts for access roads, culverts and site preparation, injecting cash into regional economies.

No specific new commitments on irrigation schemes or dam timelines were detailed in the Garbatulla address, though the road progress underscores steady advancement in northern infrastructure.