Kenyan Somali Leaders Leave State House “Embarrassed” After President Ruto Challenges Low Voter Participation

Nairobi (WDN) – Leaders from Kenya’s North Eastern region left State House in an unusually reflective mood after President William Ruto reportedly confronted them over what he described as the region’s low levels of civic participation.

Speaking after the meeting, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said the delegation departed the presidential residence feeling “embarrassed” following the President’s blunt questions about why many residents of Kenya’s Somali-majority counties have yet to obtain national identity cards or register as voters.

According to Nathif Jama, President Ruto questioned whether local leaders were doing enough to encourage their communities to fully exercise their rights as Kenyan citizens.

Reports from the meeting indicate that the President asked the delegation why significant numbers of eligible residents in North Eastern Kenya had still not acquired National ID cards or enrolled as voters.