Speaking to journalists shortly after the budget presentation in the National Assembly on Thursday, June 11, 2026, the legislator said he was dissatisfied with the allocations and accused the government of excluding his constituency and the wider northern region from key development priorities.
According to Abdi, the budget does not reflect the government's commitment to equitable development and inclusion, particularly for historically marginalized areas.
“What are they producing? For me, probably there will be good things in the last year. So far, I’m not happy, and I can’t offer even a smile. I’m excluded, marginalised, and yet there’s always the talk of inclusion, which I feel is not honest of them,” Abdi said.
The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) lawmaker argued that the latest budget continues a pattern of neglect that has affected Northern Kenya for years, despite recent assurances from President William Ruto that the government would address historical inequalities in development.
“It is just out of it we are further excluded. So this budget is for others, not me. There is nothing for Northern Kenya,” he added.
Abdi further lamented what he described as the lack of significant projects and investments targeting the region, saying residents continue to miss out on opportunities enjoyed by other parts of the country.
At the same time, the MP challenged elected leaders from the North Eastern region to take a more active role in advocating for the interests of their constituents, arguing that silence from regional leaders has contributed to continued marginalization.
“And until those who represent Northern Kenya rise to the occasion and demand their rights, we will ever be marginalised. The unfortunate thing, MPs from Northern Kenya are silent, sleeping, pretending to be part of this development, when we have nothing for our people,” he stated.
Abdi maintained that leaders from the region must unite and push for fair budget allocations to ensure residents benefit from national development programmes.
“This is a budget for south of the equator, nothing for the north of the equator, nothing for Wajir North,” he added.
His remarks come as lawmakers and stakeholders continue to scrutinize the 2026/27 Budget, with debate expected to intensify over the distribution of resources and the government's development priorities across different regions of the country.
