Why Duale Will Deliver The North to The Hustler Nation

There is no one from the pastoralists’ political landscape who can whip a crowd quite like him. Nor is there any politician from the restive North with his special talents for handling political foes. From a junior politician in the 10th Parliament to a political bigwig in the 11th and 12th Parliament, Duale commands huge  support across the North – the political base of the pastoralists - not basing on tribal cocoons compared to his foes and has earned the respect and admiration of the North. Indeed he is the indisputable kingpin of the pastoralist community and the Muslim Ummah.

Patronage from his followers is overwhelming, above all, to his political opponents who deploy all means to thwart his political determination. But, he has outshined their conspiracies innumerable epochs and emerged as the winner. Refer to him as the Member of Parliament for Garissa Township or rather the first Majority Leader of Kenya’s National Assembly, Adan Barre Duale. 

The effect of Hon Adan Duale’s national position – Majority Leader of the National Assembly – has been felt across Northern Kenya; from Marsabit to Mandera, Moyale to Masalani just to name a few.

Before Jubilee came to power, Garissa residents – and the region at large - were treated to frequent power blackouts as businesses often came to a halt due to lack of energy. In those days, electricity was a preserve of few and those in urban areas and businesses in rural areas were left to find alternative ways of operating. 

Things are different today. That part of the country has been connected to the national grid. The Kenya Kwanza Coalition government's goal of electricity access by all will be achieved and the North won’t be left behind since NEP’s celebrated son will deliver its fair share.

History has been made courtesy of the Garissa Township MP. Mind you, he’s vying for his 4th consecutive term. Uninterrupted. That shows the love his people have for him.

There is a clear indication of Dr William Ruto’s incoming administration’s interest in developing the restive north and such plans will definitely change the economic aspect of Northern Kenya positively since investors will be attracted to the region due to the availability of power and other related infrastructure necessary for business. The hustler nation unveiled its plan for the region early this year while campaigning in Wajir. Hon Duale, as the undisputed kingpin of the pastoralist politics, has a say in all these and how they unfold.

On Nomadic animal husbandry, once the hustlers form a government after the elections, it has plans to upgrade the Independent Livestock Authority with the objective of providing a ready market for the Pastoralists livestock. The Kenya Kwanza coalition has a plan to ensure the north get Equalization Fund to assist the marginalized areas in providing basic services to bring the region’s  development at par with the rest of the country.

Infrastructure-wise, the road from Garissa to Madogashe is complete and  being used. It has indeed eased transportation of people, goods and of course livestock - the livelihood of Northern Kenya. This road bears the leadership signature of Hon Duale. He lobbied for it when he was the majority leader and ensured it’s delivered. Also Dr Ruto has a blueprint to unlock the region’s infrastructural need as there are plans plan to connect the region with itself and other parts of the country.

Duale’s record as far as Garissa Township constituency is concerned speaks for itself and it’s a story for another day. 

Lately, the Majority Leader has locked horns with his opponents in their attempt to register a tribal, individualistic political party in the name of UDM to ‘’fight for pastoralists interest’’ when in the real sense it’s the political vehicle of one outgoing Governor who is reportedly accused of looting his county and now purporting to contest for a senatorial seat to salvage his capsizing political boat and probably escape accountability. The outgoing Governor also knows that his own political star cannot shine brighter than the seat he currently enjoys. The writing is on the wall!

Hate or love him, the first Majority Leader of Kenya Hon Adan Barre Duale remains the kingpin of the Pastoralists’ political landscape. Hon Duale knows the way, goes the way and shows the way! And the Pastoralists have no option but to be with him. And sure they will.

Wajir At Crossroads: Why County 008 Deserves A Fresh Start

 

Wajir now at the crossroads, and this is a good place to be. It is at this juncture that the people of Wajir are forced to make decisions about the future that they desire. Evil thrives in darkness. Bad things happen when good people say nothing. 

Wajir’s politicians- rather the clan influence peddlers (Sultans) and the wheeler dealers masquerading as leaders - have taken it this far and we should commend them for forcing Wajir to see what it refused to accept. Wajir should refuse to resign itself to poverty of ideas, irrationality, self-hatred, failed devolution and a cursed future.

For how long should Wajir tolerate bad leadership? A decade of misgovernment has bankrupted the county resulting to absolute poverty, joblessness, arrogance of the ruling class, indiscriminate killings due to clan clashes and wanton theft of devolved resources by all of the politicians and the privileged ilk.

Wajir should not accept to be dominated by the few privileged groups - that sip coffee in upmarket buildings that were bought with looted devolved funds - purporting to draw a roadmap for county 008. A plan that only fits their selfish interests and not the aspirations of the people of Wajir. 

When a county is led by a leader, who has deficit of leadership qualities, intellectual vacuity, and moral and spiritual aridity, that county will be doomed. It takes a great political leader, who is visionary, to remake a damaged county and set it on the pathway to a successful devolution and true economic prosperity.

Wajir’s Millennials and smart generation must realize that their collective efforts would put asunder the mythical grip of the clan power brokers and the privileged few and achieve their most desired political goal of good governance. Devolution is a game changer and it’s unfortunate that Wajir has not benefited from it, the billions devolved  in the last decade notwithstanding. 

The young generation should not be bystanders in the management of the county affairs. They should detest the illegality of politicians representing themselves and not those who elected them into office. They must see beyond the preoccupation of their clans. They must reject the idea of a county government whose operational expenditure always exceeds its developmental budget —a county executive whose members hardly propose any meaningful county development plan. 

The 2022 elections should be the dawn of a new era for Wajir and it should not let the sun go down on this momentum.. So how does Wajir get out of the current political crisis? Go beyond the petty sub- clan thinking - which hasn’t served anyone any good - and recall your MPs, governor, and all representatives. 

Wajir should cause  a ballot revolution and simply elect officials that care like Hussein Abdi Bare of Tarbaj and demand that they serve well, and respect your vote for respect is reciprocal even though unuh know say I special, as Burna Boy sung! 

The Boy From Mandera Who Conquered Medical School And Now Saving Lives and Livelihoods

 VOICES OF THE NORTH

First, it is a service to humanity for which he is known. Starting from childhood – those who know him well may tell you more – doctor Abulhamid’s tradition has always been to care for the less privileged and use whatever at his disposal to improve the lot of others. For the good doctor, philanthropy and service to the community are generational values and virtues but that is a story for another day.

Born in Mandera, Northeastern Kenya, the sight of malnourished, traumatized and overly sick people who could not access basic healthcare has been a daily occurrence for Abdulhamid in his formative years. While in school, he promised himself that he will work hard, join medical school and comeback to save the situation and help his kinsmen get out of the misery.

After completing Mandera High school, the young bright boy secured a slot in medical school at Egerton university. After graduation he worked at Garissa County Referral Hospital as a medical doctor attached to the department of surgery and came face to face with the stark reality of the difficulties folks from the villages endured to have an access to safe surgical interventions and it was at that point he realized he had to act and do something to end their suffering and Safe Surgical Aid was born!

The initiative covers people who ordinarily cannot afford to pay for lifesaving surgeries. These people live on the threshold of poverty that having a three meal a day is a luxury let alone footing the cost of a surgery. The Safe Surgical initiative is a fresh perspective into giving back to one’s community. In a society where people die of small ailments and other uncomplicated diseases whose treatment can be handled in public hospitals -  In Northern Kenya counties health centers are in filthy state, patients share beds and are advised to purchase prescribed drugs in private chemists where probably drugs meant for the public is sold and money budgeted for healthcare is usually looted. NEP’s healthcare is generally sick and needs surgical intervention!

Safe Surgical AID was set up in 2021 and has so far undertaken over two thousand surgeries in the counties of Mandera, Garissa and Wajir in partnership with international and local organizations involved in health-related issues and other charitable works across the country.

Doctor Abdulhamid’dis love for medicine has continued to manifest in his commitment to helping to build a healthy population that can contribute tremendously to the aspiration to reset, rebuild, and grow Kenya. Below is our one on one interview with him.

 

Who is Abdulhamid Noor?

I am Abdulhamid M. Noor, born and brought up in MetaMeta Town – What used to be the liveliest part of Mandera town entertainment wise - of Mandera County.

Schooled at Mandera DEB primary and Mandera secondary school.

What is your professional background?

I am a medical doctor by profession, did my MBCHB degree in Egerton university school of medicine, Nakuru County where I graduated in December 2015.

Now pursuing Masters Degree in Urology at the University of Nairobi.

Am assionate about good governance and accessible free health care services for all Kenyans.

After I graduated from Egerton, I worked at Garissa County Referral Hospital as a medical doctor attached to the department of surgery till I was released for the post graduate program that I’m currently pursuing.

Tell us more about the charity work you are involved in Northern Kenya

In Garissa I saw the difficulties folks from the villages, refugee camps, and those from across the border in Somalia endure to have an access to a safe surgical intervention, how many kilometers they cover to see a doctor and the long surgical list that they endure to have their day in theatre and it was at that point that I realized I had a responsibility to end their suffering and Safe Surgical Aid was conceptualized.

I co-founded Safe Surgical Aid with Dr Khadija Hassan and Alibashir Mohamed.

 Safe Surgical Aid is a non-profit organization that provides Safe and free surgeries in where there is no access especially the marginalized communities in Asal counties, refugee camps and parts of the coastal towns.

Since we started we have done more than 2000 cases of surgeries involving the eyes, ears, nose and throat, cleft lip and palate. We also perfomed obstetric fistulas and gynecological surgaries. We plan to expand the services across the region in the fullness of time.

What adjective will you use to describe yourself?

I am a true Northerner in its actual sense, born in Mandera, married from wajir, working in Garissa, I should be the poster boy for the region.

I am one among the many ordinary Kenyans who are doing God’s will in advancing the country and by extension the region. Quite patient and dedicated in what I intend to achieve, if I don’t get it today I wait for another day and replan to attain it.

My dream is to see every Kenyan have access to free, safe and accessible health care in their own towns and villages, where every county has a progressive healthcare system for all its residents. Thank you.

 

 

Of Devolution, Plundering and Why Mandera Deserves Better

The majority voiceless people of Mandera have endured hardship brewed by incompetent leaders - MPs, MCAs, Senators- who couldn’t make head or tail of governance. Leaders who have nothing to offer but hardship, bad governance and insecurity. The hardship in Mandera didn’t start with Roba’s administration. It started way back but it has in fact been made more naked-sticking out like sore thumb by Roba’s County government. 

Mandera county is one of the best managed counties in NEP but that’s like the best among the worst if the funds allocated to Mandera in the last 9 years is anything to go by. Just like his first, Roba’s second tenure is an emblem of hardship and insecurity. His 3rd tenure via “a project of the profligate incumbent” as Senator @BK puts it, will be the same as the second or even worse! 

Except one of the candidates, all the other contestants mentioned by the former Senator of Mandera who is not blameless as far as the country leadership is concerned, have been tried and tested in one way or another. 

It’s too early to predict who will be Mandera’s 2nd Governor but the entry of Waziri Adan Mohamed into the race is definitely a game changer! A man who has reached the apex of the corporate world and a CS post to boot, there’s no doubt that he will help turn around the failing County, 009. If success is measurable, Adan Mohamed has probably achieved what every brainy professional wants to achieve. Unlike the majority who join politics for the sake of it, Adan must be ‘retiring’ to make his home county a better place. He has the skills, knowhow and the network to just do that. He must have been waiting for this moment! 

Mandera has a choice to either take a leap forward forward or suicidal dive in River Dawa and that’s what Roba and his project represent. 

Senator Mumad: Here Is My Journey And Why Mandera Deserves Better

By Senator Mumad

My public service journey has been long and fulfilling. I first joined the Public Service  as a civil engineer, then served as Resident Engineer, range water, North Eastern Province. From there I became the North Eastern Provincial Water Engineer and then promoted to become the head of Division at the Ministry of Water Development. I was seconded to the National Water Conservation and Pipeline CorporationI where I served as the Chief Engineer. Later on I was privileged to be appointed Ambassador of Kenya to the Arab Republic of Egypt with accreditation to Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Eritrea. Thereafter, I served as a Permanent Secretary in the ministries of Regional Development, Home Affairs and Roads and Public Works. 

 I took an early retirement in 2007 and sought an elective post as MP for Mandera West where I served for two consecutive terms. During my first term as MP Mandera West, I also served as an Assistant Minister for Energy. 

 In 2017, I opted to run for the Senator of Mandera County where I am now serving. I owe my success to Allah and I am deeply grateful to the people of Mandera who  have been part of my journey throughout. I have now decided to offer myself as a gubernatorial candidate for Mandera. I have the experience, knowledge, competence and requisite network among the communities in Mandera to best fit this position.

The failure that is Kamukunji leadership and its MP

I'm privileged to be a voter of the great constituency that is Kamukunji.

So, if I'm worthy of talking about anything politics, definitely Kamukunji will top the list. 

Africa's celebrated novelist Chinua Achebe said that whenever you see a toad jumping in broad daylight, then know that something is after its life. By now you know why the great people of Kamukunji - forget about the few busybodies who have nothing else to do other than praising mediocrity 24/7 - are all over the net making some noise about the poor and failed leadership of the area MP, Yussuf Hassan.

The focus of this blog post is on leadership, corruption and nepotism in Kamukunji constituency. A constituency once represented by the legendary nationalist leader the late Tom Mboya. 

First, how does leadership failure, both in terms of its ethics and its incompetence affects Kamukunji? To begin with, Yussuf's failure to address the concerns of his constituents and his inability to make use of his legislative powers have made Eastleigh, and Kamukunji in general, the ATM of the corrupt Kenya police. That's an open secret. The area MP has never addressed this problem ever since he became an MP, a decade plus ago. Even during the so called "Kasarani concentration camp", Yussuf was missing in action, to say the least. We were there. Addressing the people's concern. If you know, you know...

Misuse of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)

The misuse of Kamukunji CDF continues unabated. In WhatsApp forums Kamukunji residents have for long accused their MP and the CDF Fund Manager of perpetually and unlawfully redirecting funds. Most of the projects undertaken in the constituency have their costs ballooned beyond the normal acceptable price. And those who closely follow the politics of Kamukunji know very well that the fund manager is the one who collects the kickbacks for the MP - a man who struggles to present a holier-than-thou image. Bob Maley once sang that that you can fool some people some times but you can't fool all the people all the time. There are myriad controversial deals transacted through the Kamukunji CDF kitty. 

Owing to instances of misappropriation and diversion of funds, corruption and outright misuse of CDF funds, millions have gone down the drain and several projects completely stalled over the last few years. The situation is so dire that we maybe forced to petition the relevant authorities to look into the books of Kamukunji CDF properly. We are even prepared to hire external auditors to undertake a proper audit of these funds. 

Most of the constituency roads are in pathetic shape. Some of them were launched during the 2017 elections to hoodwink the public. And that was it! Some of these so called roads have turned into dams, full of sewers and other waste that even our school going children are at risk of drowning while on their way to and from school. If the MP has decided to be silent about this, we have no option but to pursue him to the end. 

Constituency Office. 

The office of the Kamukunji constituency is run by the nephew of the area MP. If this is not the height of nepotism, then we don't know what is. Such postings are deemed to be illegal, unconstitutional and immoral. But what morality does the MP have if he can let his nephew run a cosmopolitan constituency like Kamukunji? The people of Kamukunji are tired of this micromanagement. 

Constituency Tenders

All constituency tenders including the construction of the Kamukunji Technical Training college is being done by the MP’s wheeler-dealers. What remains is usually sold to the highest bidder. This is corruption in its best form and if indeed we're fighting corruption as a nation, then Kamukunji is the right place to begin that fight. We are able and willing to pursue this matter, no matter what. 

Were it not for the county government of Nairobi that is beautifying the City, Kamukunji will look a ghost town. And Yussuf brags about the county projects as his. Shameful. 

 A luta continua...

Why Garissa County Officials should tone down the rhetoric 

Chinua Achebe once said that an old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned. Why are Garissa county officials jittery about Duale's remarks during the Pastoralist Education and Career Fair which happened last weekend in Garissa county? 

Our attention has been drawn to some county officials running helter-skelter trying to respond to Duale's remarks during the education expo - the first of its kind in Northern Kenya. 

First of all, Duale's remarks were nothing but the truth; and the TRUTH IS HARD! It's also true that some of the senior county officials in the Pastoralist counties have FAKE academic papers while the majority of the young people who are properly schooled are jobless. 

Just watched a clip of Garissa Govenor doing rounds, surrounded by his clueless bootlickers, claiming that he has the power to employ anyone. It was an astonishing thing to watch. Well, it's important that we remind the governor that the County Public Service Boards have a code of conduct and ethics and these codes must be followed to the letter. The law on public employment and appointments is very clear. We also want to remind the county officials that there's nothing to shout about here. What was their press conference for? You either have a genuine degree or you don't. It's as simple as that! And that's all Duale said. No wonder a wise man once said that the guilty are always afraid. Even though no one mentioned them, they started raising their hands up! 

Devolution was meant to correct years of marginalization and not to perpetuate a new form of marginalization. When Governors employ whoever they want, meritocracy is shown the door and mediocrity sets in which is exactly what we're currently witnessing in the counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa etc etc. 

The crude and corrosive attacks on the Leader of Majority by the clueless county officials is unfortunate and highly uncalled for. The young people of the Pastoralist community stand by and support Duale's statement because it was uplifting and necessary. Someone must talk sense into these Governors!