Time has come to shed off the insecurity tag that has been associated with Garissa county and Northeastern at large for more than a decade, Governor Nathif Jama has said.
He said the issue of security or lack of it was portraying the county negatively, leading to Kenyans having a bad perception about it.
The county has in the past witnessed some of the most deadly terror attacks that have left many dead and others injured. Things have, however, changed for the better in recent years.
The governor pointed an accusing figure at the media, saying many a time issues to do with insecurity are given prominence and coverage as opposed to development.
He said insecurity is everywhere and there is no need to blow the few incidences in the area out of proportion.
Jama, who said the county was planning its first-ever investment forum, said any potential investor would first want to be assured of security before investing in a place.
He said Garissa, just like any other part of the country, is facing insecurity challenges but was quick to add that this has not prevented the region from thriving.
Jama said the media has a big role to play in changing the insecurity narrative.
“As the county leadership, we continue to work closely with the national government to ensure peace and security is realised and residents go about doing their businesses without any fears,” he said.
“It is unfortunate there has been deliberate efforts to portray the county and the region at large negatively. Media tends to run with a story, especially when it is touching on security or lack of it, forgetting the damage such stories cause.”
Jama said Garissa is almost turning into a 24-hour economy, with people from all over Kenya doing business peacefully.
On Garissa University attack, the governor said it remains a dark history in the part of the county and country.
During the April 2, 2015, 148 people, a majority of them students, were killed by al Shaaab militants.
Jama said the enrolment at the university has greatly improved, with the county supporting by giving bursaries, especially to students taking teaching courses, as well as improving infrastructure.
He said his administration will continue to compliment the national government's efforts of uplifting the education standards by paying bursaries for students taking teaching courses in universities and colleges.
The region has witnessed a mass exodus of teachers due to fears of insecurity, which has had a negative effect on performance in national examinations.
Two months ago, Governor Jama led other leaders and education stakeholders from Garissa in thanking President William Ruto for acting on the recommendations of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms in Kenya.
The working party suggested the removal of the subject cluster combination.
Last week, the Kenya Primary Schools Head teachers Association-Northeastern branch urged the government to address understaffing.
Chairman Hassan Farah said many schools are run by head teachers and board of governor teachers.
He spoke during the opening of the two-day Kepsha regional conference in Garissa Primary School.
