Members of Parliament have raised concerns over what they described as “serious budgetary marginalisation” of Northern Kenya in the proposed 2025/26 budget for roads and infrastructure projects.

The Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, confronted Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, Davis Chirchir, during a heated session in Parliament.

Wajir North MP Ibrahim Abdi Saney led the charge, decrying the complete absence of government-funded infrastructure projects in his constituency.

“Are we not Kenyans? Do we belong to a different country?” Saney asked. “Am I not an elected member like my colleagues? Why is it that when it comes to development, we are being sidelined?”

His sentiments were backed by Mandera East MP Abdirahman Weytan, who added, “Equity was not exercised while preparing these budget estimates.”

Saney further noted that the only road project in his region was donor-funded, terming it a longstanding injustice that must be addressed urgently. Other committee members supported his calls and urged the Cabinet Secretary to review the budget and take affirmative action to ensure fair distribution of national resources.

The MPs also criticised the inclusion of several new road projects in the 2025/26 financial year budget, despite a backlog of stalled projects due to unpaid bills.

“We have repeatedly advised the Ministry not to start new projects until the current ones are completed,” one MP noted.

The lawmakers also expressed concern over the visibility and effectiveness of major initiatives like the Nairobi Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (NAMATA) and the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET), questioning the tangible impact of the massive funding they receive.

“Where is the development?” asked North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood. “We keep hearing about these programs, but on the ground, there’s nothing to show.”

The State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs was also flagged for concern. MPs noted that the department has suffered continuous budget cuts during supplementary budget reviews, leaving many of its core functions barely operational. They called on the National Treasury to step in and rescue the department.

In response, CS Chirchir admitted the concerns were valid and acknowledged the imbalance in resource allocation.

“We are aware of the concerns, and the budget is still under review,” Chirchir said. “We are working within a tight fiscal space. However, we remain committed to ensuring equity and affirmative action where it is most needed.”

He cited underfunding, delayed disbursements, and strained supplier relations as key challenges affecting project delivery across the country.

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