In separate interviews with a section of residents, they expressed optimism that the president’s visit will be a game changer in lifting the region.
Kullow Mohamed Sheikh, the interim chairman of Mandera County's third political force, highlighted four major concerns that he said need to be addressed and fixed.
In separate interviews with a section of residents, they
expressed optimism that the president’s visit will be a game changer in lifting
the region.
“The president’s tour could not have come at the right
time. As residents, we are very ready to welcome him with open arms. His tour was about restoring faith in the government’s commitment to marginalized
communities and regions like ours,” said Dubat Amey, the Kenya livestock
marketing council chairman.
He added, "It is an open secret that, as a region, we
still have a long way to go in matters of development compared to other regions. We
have trust and confidence in President Ruto that he will turn things around.”.
Kullow Mohamed Sheikh, the Interim chairman Mandera county
third political force/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Kullow Mohamed Sheikh, the interim chairman of Mandera
County's third political force, highlighted four major concerns that he said need to be addressed and fixed. He singled out the Waji-Mandera road, the construction of
an air strip in Mandera, the connection of Mandera to the national grid, and the
re-opening of the Kenya-Somalia boarder. “Most of our roads in Mandera and the region at large
are all in deplorable conditions. In fact, the poor road network is the major source of poverty in the region and Mandera
County, to be specific. We plead with the president to please launch
the Wajir-Mandera road for tarmacking. He added: Mandera is a flourishing business hub; our
humble request is that we be connected to the national grid, which will be a
game changer. As the border, it will enhance giant economic growth of the region,”
he said. On his part, Mohamed Abdinoor, the chairman of the
Trans Wajir Advocacy Network, singled out the fast-tracking of the construction
of the Modogashe-Wajir road, Modogashe-Samatar, and the Mandera Rhamu sections. Abdinoor said the roads would serve as a “lifeline”
for the locals, opening avenues for economic growth, healthcare access, and
improved transportation. “The people of Wajir and other Northeastern counties
have suffered due to the lack of infrastructure. We’ve endured rough, dangerous
and at times impassable roads that have kept our region from realizing its full
potential. This is one area I expect the president to talk about.
He added: “As a region, we are humbly telling the
president, whom we know means well for our region, that give us these sections
of the roads, and we will show the rest of the world the opportunities that are
in our region.”.
Abdinnor further said that the president has proved to
be a person who keeps his word and singled out his promise while in Wajir in
December last year that he would appoint board members to the national
livestock development and promotional service board.
Through a Kenya Gazette notice, the president
appointed the board members on January 17. Abdinoor called on the head of
state to operationalize the board.
He said that livestock remains the region's economic backbone, and anything done to improve the sector is highly welcome.
He further called for the Wajir and Mandera counties
to the national grid, saying that having an unstable power has not only inconvenienced the residents but badly hurt
businesses.
Some of the projects the president is set to inspect in
Garissa are the LAPSSET, the affordable housing project, the ongoing construction
of new Tana River bridge, the Garissa market and the Garissa Madogo section of
the road that was destroyed by floods
Mohamed Abdinoor, the chairman of the Trans Wajir Advocacy Network/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Kullow Mohamed Sheikh, the Interim chairman Mandera county
third political force/STEPHEN ASTARIKO