Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi has said he is proud of his achievements despite the challenges he faced during his tenure.
He said despite court battles, the Covid-19 pandemic and locust invasion, development reached the grassroots under his flagship ward based project.
Abdi spoke on Sunday while addressing residents of Leheley township in Lagboqol South ward, Wajir South.
The governor who was reinstated by the court in March after successfully challenging his impeachment by the county assembly and Senate, thanked residents for standing with him through the difficult times.
He urged them to vote for him once again.
“Wajir needs a leader who can work on how to bring people together and prioritise the needs of the people, devoid of man made crises that derailed services in the past three years of my tenure,” Abdi said.
The county boss said through peace and conflict resolution mechanisms they have reduced inter-clan clashes.
He said the clashes had claimed many lives, becoming the biggest impediment to the realisation of development at the grassroots.
“Going forward, that is one area I am looking forward to improve,” Abdi said.
The independent candidate however urged those seeking leadership positions to avoid pronouncements that will flare hostilities among residents.
He said the country was approaching a critical phase in devolution, where we will transition from the second generation county governments to the third.
The governor said there is need for residents to elect good leaders who will continue spearheading development in the counties.
Abdi said his administration managed to improve various sectors including healthcare, water and infrastructure.
He also said he is working with with the national government to improve security by empowering village elders and recruiting National Police Reservists.
“I am delighted to share with you some of our achievements on how we translated my 15-point manifesto into actionable programmes, aimed at uplifting the living standards and welfare of our people in a significant way.
“My government prioritised food security as a critical pillar in our developmental foundation and in achieving the Big Four Agenda. We also intensified pasture and fodder production, conservation and utilisation," the governor said.
Abdi said currently, farmers in Wajir Central have the capacity to produce up to 80,000 bales of hay in a season.
However, there is stress on pasture and water due to the current drought occasioned by four failed rain seasons.
The county has been experiencing inter and intra county migration leading to convergence of pastoralists, putting a strain on the limited browse.
The June NDMA report said areas are reporting tensions and confrontations between the new entrants and host communities.
Persons are fighting over control and use of the scarce natural resources concentrated in a small stretch of grazing land.
The governor however said interventions have been made to reduce incidences of violence and promote peaceful coexistence among the pastoralist communities.
He said they have also come up with modalities of sharing the scarce natural resources.
“I appeal to our people to be advocates of peace during this tough time of drought and general election,” Abdi said.
The governor was accompanied by his running mate Abdifatah Sheikh Diriye and Senate candidate Mohamed Abikar.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
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