Top lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has, for the first time, publicly aligned himself with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a move that has stirred intense debate across Kenya’s political landscape.
Known for his sharp legal mind and unfiltered political commentary, Ahmednasir rarely finds common cause with Gachagua. Yet in a striking departure, the senior counsel says that despite Gachagua’s divisive politics, his critique of Northern Kenya leadership deserves serious attention.
In a blunt assessment, Ahmednasir acknowledged that Gachagua is unapologetically tribal and often plays hard ethnic politics. However, he argued that this does not automatically invalidate every point the former deputy president makes. On Northern Kenya, Ahmednasir said Gachagua has touched a raw but truthful nerve that many leaders have deliberately avoided.
According to Ahmednasir, leaders from Northern Kenya have presided over one of the most troubling governance failures since the advent of devolution. He pointed to allegations that vast sums of public money – estimated at close to Ksh1 trillion since 2013 – have flowed into the region with little to show in terms of lasting development. World-class schools, hospitals, and public institutions remain scarce, despite counties receiving billions annually.
He further echoed Gachagua’s claim that corruption has hollowed out the promise of devolution, with Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources allegedly misused or outright stolen. Ahmednasir also took aim at the political class’s detachment from the region, noting that many leaders, including MCAs, are effectively domiciled in Nairobi, with their families, investments, and lives centered in the capital rather than the communities they represent.
Citing counties such as Garissa and Marsabit, Ahmednasir posed a stark question: where did the hundreds of billions allocated to these regions go? While conceding that Gachagua is undeniably playing politics, Ahmednasir insisted that on this issue, uncomfortable as it may be, the former deputy president is telling the truth – and for once, he stands with him.