This archive report was first published on 10 January 2020.
On January 10, 2020, Ephraim Njega, a visionary thinker, shared his bold idea of relocating Kenya's capital city to the Isiolo/Marsabit/Samburu area. This move, he argued, would be a crucial step towards resolving the country's economic challenges.
According to Njega, the current capital city, Nairobi, is situated in a densely populated area along the Northern Corridor, which includes Mombasa and Malaba. This concentration of population and economic activity has put immense pressure on land in other parts of the country, leading to insecurities and economic unproductivity in the north.
By shifting the capital city to a more central location, Njega believes that large parts of the country would be opened up for settlement, thereby reducing the pressure on land and resolving the issues of insecurity in the north. This geographical diversification would also help in risk management by reducing the concentration of economic activity in a single region.
Devolution, which was introduced to achieve this kind of geographical diversification, has failed to deliver on its promises. Njega argues that a more radical approach is needed to transform the country and unlock its full potential.
He also emphasizes the need for visionary and selfless leaders who can think about the future of the country many decades ahead. Additionally, addressing the issue of ethnic divisions would be crucial in implementing decisions like this.
The proposed new transport corridor from Lamu via Isiolo and onward to South Sudan, Northern Uganda, and Southern Ethiopia would create new economic opportunities for the country.
