Mandera set to commission devolution flagship projects

Mandera will soon commission its devolution flagship projects.

The next six months will be  characterised by project launch and celebrations of devolution milestones, according to Governor Ali Roba.

Roba, who spoke in Mandera town on Thursday, said the county has witnessed tremendous development in the eight years of devolution.

“As we complete the 8th year of devolution, a lot has been accomplished without much celebration. I would like to take this opportunity to announce that very soon we will be officially commissioning flagship projects in our county,” he said.

In Mandera municipality alone, the governor cited Accident and Emergency Centre, Maternal Care Centre, Rehabilitation Centre, Communicable Disease Control Centre, fire station, state-of-the-art abattoir, municipal headquarters and Mandawasco headquarters as examples of well-done jobs.

The other highlights are Corner B bridge, Mandera Technical Training Institute, Mandera Teachers Training College, Mandera Medical Training College, the county headquarters, the County Assembly Buildings, regional livestock market, county central stores, County Hotel and governor, deputy governor and speaker residences.

Before devolution, the health sector in the county was a mess, resident Abdi Ali said.

“Few could afford to go to private hospitals. Patients would travel by road for days to access crucial medical services such as dialysis. Some travelled 1,200km to Nairobi.

"It was pain and suffering for the poor majority. But in the last eight  years of devolution, there has been total transformation in key sectors,” Abdi said.

Asha Hassan welcomed the commissioning of the flagship projects, it was an indication of how far the county has come in terms of development.

“Our county was one of those marginalised by successive governments. But county leadership has properly utilised the little resources we have and we can see progress,” the Rhamu sub-county resident said.

In the recent Infotrak performance ranking, Roba was the best in Northeastern at index 54.3. Countrywide, Kakamega's Wycliffe Oparanya was the best performing governor.