Kenya's North Forgotten By History and Cursed By Devolution

The history of Northern Kenya and marginalisation goes as far back as the colonial days. The same trend used by colonisers has remained in play. Historical evidence points at a neglected, abandoned and marginalised region and successive governments have not done enough to reverse the deep inequalities and marginalisation, writes Ali Edin Abdi for This is Africa.

The colonial masters set out a plan of segregating the region and that was necessitated with the British's view of the Somalis as a threat and their belief that the region's climate was harsh and their agricultural interests stands no chance.

In 1963 the country celebrated independence and as the nation was in joy and ululation, Northern Frontier Districts were in disarray and appeared more alienated than ever before. The Jomo Kenyatta's government picked up exactly where the colonialists left and the marginalisation of the North continued.

The promulgation of the 2010 constitution appeared to create an array of hope especially with the introduction of devolution which was seen as the best bet for the historically marginalised and under privileged counties.