We're immensely grateful for PS job - Garissa leaders, elders to President Ruto

Say appointment marks a turning point in regional representation

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern19 April 2025 - 18:01

In Summary

Aden Abdi Millah, recently sworn in as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, hails from the populous Awliyahan community
His appointment is historic, as he becomes the first PS from the community in the last 16 years.

A section of leaders and elders from the Awliyahan community in Garissa have expressed their gratitude to President William Ruto for appointing one of their own to a senior government position.

Aden Abdi Millah, recently sworn in as Principal Secretary in the State Department for Shipping and Maritime Affairs, hails from the populous Awliyahan community, which is dominant in Garissa, Dadaab, and Lagdera sub-counties.

His appointment is historic, as he becomes the first PS from the community in the last 16 years.

Speaking at a Thanksgiving ceremony held at a Garissa hotel—attended by religious leaders, women, and youth and led by community king Sultan Hamud Sheikh—the leaders praised President Ruto for promoting inclusivity through his appointments.

“On behalf of my community, we sincerely thank the president and the former Prime Minister, the Right Honorable Raila Odinga, for nominating leaders from our area to senior government positions,” Sultan Hamud said.

He added, “As a community, we now have no reason to lament about exclusion from government. This is our government. For a long time, we were marginalized, but today we have representation at the highest decision-making level.”

Garissa County Assembly Majority Leader Mohamed Abdi Farah welcomed the political deal between President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga, saying it would enhance national unity and strengthen the government.

“As a community, we have every reason to support this broad-based government. For the first time, we have one of our own as a PS. We had been sidelined, but this appointment has changed everything,” he said.

Dadaab Ward Representative Farah urged the community to remain united and support President Ruto’s administration. He also praised the former Prime Minister, noting that his support for the community had finally borne fruit.

“The former PM’s statesmanship has always been clear—his dedication to democracy, social justice, and national unity is unwavering. His efforts have helped build a more inclusive Kenya where communities like ours are recognized and represented,” he added.

Baraki Ward Representative Hassan Geley echoed similar sentiments, thanking the president for giving the region a voice in government.

“For years, we were left out, but today, we have a seat at the high-level decision-making table. We are especially grateful to the former PM and Senator Abdul Haji for their role in the appointment. We don’t take this for granted and pledge our full support for this administration,” he said.

Rashid Garane also pledged unwavering support for the current government, thanking both President Ruto and Raila for putting the nation’s interests first.

“We do not take the appointment of Aden Millah as PS for granted. This community had long been neglected by past governments, and having someone in such a senior position was once unimaginable,” he said.

On March 7, President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga entered into a political pact aimed at fostering collaboration on key national issues.

Both leaders clarified that the agreement was not the formation of a new political alliance but a framework for joint consultation and inclusive governance.

Other Northeastern leaders appointed to PS positions include former Wajir North MP Ahmed Abdisalan (State Department for National Government Coordination) and Abdi Dubat, who was reassigned from PS in the State Department for EAC Affairs to Consul-General in Arusha.