Kisii MP explains why Kiambu residents may live 10 years longer than Nyanza residents

Nyaribari Masaba Representative Dan Manduku has explained why residents of Kiambu may enjoy a decade longer life expectancy compared to those in Nyanza. During a podcast discussion on November 7, 2026, Manduku highlighted decades of historical marginalization and unequal resource distribution as key factors. He referenced Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data, noting Kiambu residents are likely to outlive Nyanza-born individuals by ten years.

The MP attributed this disparity to the effects of colonial-era policies, namely the 1923 Devonshire White Paper, which favored Central Kenya's agricultural opportunities while restricting similar chances in Nyanza. Manduku pointed to road infrastructure as a prime example of inequality, with MPs from Central Kenya able to travel to their rural homes on tarmacked roads, while their Nyanza counterparts often rely on motorbike taxis due to poor road networks.

He also cited electricity connectivity data showing less than 20% penetration in Nyanza compared to over 80% in Central Kenya. This unequal access to power, Manduku argued, limited economic opportunities. The MP traced these disparities to continued effects of colonial policies and post-independence inequalities, particularly in land ownership documentation.

He gave Kilifi as an example, where residents in some areas only recently received title deeds decades after independence. Manduku criticized the administrations of former Presidents Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta for failing to address these issues, accusing Kibaki's government of concentrating economic opportunities in Central Kenya while Jubilee's Uhuru Kenyatta administration worsened the situation through excessive borrowing that burdened the national debt.

Manduku, however, praised President William Ruto's administration, claiming it is now working to rectify historical inequalities through infrastructure development. He mentioned ongoing public infrastructure projects in Kisii worth over Ksh60 billion, with his constituency receiving Ksh3.5 billion. Manduku emphasized that investing in infrastructure and providing economic opportunities is crucial for improving living standards nationwide.