North Eastern leaders have urged President William Ruto and his newly sworn-in Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to keep the country on track and achieve the much-needed peace, stability and economic growth.
Among them were then Garissa Governor Ali Korane, then Wajir Deputy Governor Ahmed Muktar, then North Eastern Regional Commissioner Mohamud Saleh, then Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, his Wajir counterpart Ahmed Muhumed, and Garissa Township MP Dekow Mohamed.
The leaders spoke at a hotel in Garissa as part of a community gathering called the Kumade Grand Convention, which aims to bring together all of the Ogaden communities in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Ali Korane, a former governor of Garissa, said the president’s decision to fire his deputy was not simple and that there had to be strong justifications for it.
“The past few weeks have been difficult for us as a country. Removing a deputy president from office is not something you do on a whim. For the president to make such a difficult decision, there must be compelling reasons. He must have realised that was his only option,” he said.
“As North Easterners, we want to reassure the president because we know his decision was in the best interests and unity of our country."
“My clarion call to Kenyans is to support the president as he works to unite and lead us to prosperity,” he said.
Korane said people have faith that, under Kindiki’s inspiring leadership, revolutionary change will quickly result from the pursuit of important national priorities and the improvement of the welfare of all Kenyans.
Wajir Deputy Governor Ahmed Muhumed believes Kindiki’s track record of performance in previous roles qualifies him for the position.
Muhumed, who read the resolutions, urged President Ruto to give the Isiolo-Mandera Highway’s quick completion, the North Eastern Kenya’s grid connection, and the operationalisation of border customs top priority.
“We urge regional governments in Somalia to collaborate closely with the government of Somalia for the benefit of all Somalians, regardless of borders and in accordance with political stability issues,” he said.
