Government’s Secretive NIS Projects Fuel Suspicion and Resistance as President Ruto Faces Backlash
A high-stakes meeting between President William Ruto and leaders from Tana River County failed to reach a consensus over the contentious gazettement of land for National Intelligence Service (NIS) use. The meeting, held on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, at State House, came in response to mounting public outcry over Gazette Notice No. 6256, which declared part of the Jamhuri–Masalani area a restricted security zone.
The gazettement sparked alarm among residents and leaders, who viewed it as a move to annex ancestral land without proper consultation or clear demarcation. Local leaders—including Members of Parliament, Senators, community elders, and county officials—expressed fears that the government’s plans lacked transparency and might displace communities in the name of national development.
President Ruto reportedly clarified during the meeting that the gazetted area was significantly smaller than feared—just 30 meters around a central point marked for security infrastructure. Galole MP Said Hiribae, who attended the meeting, said the President explained that the land would host several projects, including an airstrip, an NIS Academy, a Level Four hospital, an upgraded primary school, and a completed road to Masalani.
“These projects are strategic for our region, but we still want everything spelled out in writing,” Hiribae said, noting that while the leaders welcomed development, they remained unconvinced by verbal assurances.
In an effort to reassure the local leadership, the President authorized a rare visit to the proposed NIS site on Saturday, May 24. The delegation included MPs, elders, and Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei and was led by the NIS Deputy Director General.
However, the visit raised new concerns. Journalists were barred from entry, mobile phones belonging to non-NIS officials were confiscated, and interviews were prohibited—even outside the restricted zone. The two-hour tour concluded with a closed-door meeting between top security officials, local leaders, and elders.
“That level of secrecy was unsettling. It only fueled public mistrust,” said one leader, speaking anonymously.
Garsen MP Ali Wario emphasized the need for the government to issue a revised gazette notice with exact coordinates and a full description of the intended developments. He also blamed local political figures for spreading misinformation to stir public anxiety.
“The public was misled for political mileage. Still, for the good of our people, all communication must be formal and transparent,” he stated, adding that the lack of title deeds in the area leaves residents especially vulnerable.
Bura MP Yakub Adow supported the proposed projects, saying they offered employment opportunities for over 1,000 youths in the region. “This is not about grabbing land. It’s about lifting our region,” he said.
But Senator Danson Mungatana was firm that no progress should proceed without official paperwork. “If it’s not on paper, it doesn’t exist. We’re not anti-development, but we won’t be hoodwinked,” he said.
Governor Dhadho Godhana linked the current dispute to long-standing territorial tensions between Tana River and Garissa Counties. He warned that the gazettement could be part of an attempt to adjust traditional boundaries and demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) formally define and publish the region’s limits.
“This is déjà vu. Government must lay its cards on the table and ensure proper public participation,” he added.
Tana River County Commissioner David Koskei dismissed the notion of a land grab, insisting that the government’s actions were in line with efforts to develop marginalized areas. “Let’s stop misleading the public. This is about development, not displacement,” he said.
Despite President Ruto’s efforts to address the controversy, the meeting did little to ease tensions. Local leaders continue to demand formal documentation, boundary clarity, and meaningful public participation. The future of the proposed projects now hinges on the government’s next move and whether it can regain public trust in the region.
Also Read: State Orders All Public Institutions to Replace Vehicle Number Plates by August 2025
Government’s Secretive NIS Projects Fuel Suspicion and Resistance as President Ruto Faces Backlash