GARISSA— Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has praised President William Ruto’s deliberate focus on equitable development, saying once-marginalized regions like North Eastern are steadily being transformed into hubs of opportunity.
Speaking on the ongoing infrastructure push in Garissa County, Duale highlighted two flagship projects that underscore the government’s commitment to the region.
“The President has remained deliberate in advancing equitable development, ensuring regions once marginalized are steadily transformed into hubs of opportunity,” Duale said.
H.E. President @WilliamsRuto has remained deliberate in advancing equitable development, ensuring regions once marginalized are steadily transformed into hubs of opportunity.
In Garissa County, this commitment is evident through the near-completion of the upgraded Garissa… pic.twitter.com/9mE5MlWqXa
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) April 5, 2026
He pointed to the near-completion of the upgraded Garissa Airstrip, which is being transformed into a modern regional aviation hub. Once finished, the facility will support daily flights to Nairobi, significantly cutting travel time and boosting passenger traffic in the North Eastern corridor.
Duale also singled out the construction of a new 150-metre dual-carriageway Tana River Bridge, designed to handle heavy commercial traffic. The new bridge will replace the aging 43-year-old structure that has been prone to flooding, promising safer and more reliable connectivity.
“These projects will significantly boost connectivity and economic activity across the North Eastern corridor,” Duale noted.
The upgraded airstrip and the new bridge are expected to enhance movement between Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera counties. Improved infrastructure will also strengthen critical services such as medical evacuations and humanitarian response efforts, positioning Garissa as a vital gateway and lifeline for the entire region.
Duale’s remarks come amid growing expectations from residents of North Eastern Kenya, who have for decades complained of historical marginalization. The two projects are seen as concrete signs that the Ruto administration is walking the talk on inclusive national development.
The completion of the Garissa Airstrip and the Tana River Bridge is anticipated to unlock new economic potential by improving trade, tourism, and access to essential services in one of Kenya’s most underserved regions.
