- He said that the office will enable easy access to government services at local levels and help address security concerns.
- He also commissioned Malkagala as the sub-county headquarters and installation of the first Deputy County Commissioner.
Image: ICG
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Friday officially presided over the Operationalisation of Cherab sub-county in Isiolo County.
He also commissioned Malkagala as the sub-county headquarters and installed the first Deputy County Commissioner.
Kindiki arrived for the event in Isiolo at around 1 pm and was received by Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo.
While unveiling the new sub-county offices, Kindiki noted that the office will enable easy access to government services at local levels and help address security concerns.
Isiolo has three sub-counties - Isiolo, Merti and Garbatula. Cherab is among three other sub-counties including Sericho and Oldonyori- which were gazetted in March 2022 but had not yet operationalised.
Cherab is located 40 kilometers from Merti Township and approximately 240 km from Isiolo town.
It is in Isiolo County and lies to the Northeast of Isiolo sub-county, North of Merti sub-county and borders Hadado and Wajir west sub-counties along the Northeastern regional boundary on the East. It borders Laisamis sub-county of Marsabit county to the west.
The population of Cherab sub-county stands at 27,246 as per the 2019 population census and the population density is 3 persons per sq km.
However, currently, the population is projected to be 30,000.
Its main population is comprised of the Borana whose main economic activity and livelihood is pastoralism.
The security situation in Cherab has been relatively calm with a few incidences of insecurity being reported.
Cherab has been marred with security threats with the major crimes in the area being cattle rustling/stock theft from neighbouring counties.
There has also been a boundary dispute between Cherab and Wajir West/ Hadado sub-counties.
Other threats as highlighted by the Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding include competition for water and pasture, small arms and light weapons and politics based on clannism among others.
Hotspot areas in Cherab that have been identified by the security personnel are Yamicha, Duma areas, Madowale and Alango.
In terms of Infrastructure, the road furniture is wanting as it only comprises one major classified road crossing the county which is Merti Dadacha Bassa – Wajir road.
“The road is not very good, especially during the rainy season. Other roads can be classified as security roads including the road to Yamicha, Duma and Urura but they are all in bad condition,” Omoding said.
Cherab is water-stressed, and most of the boreholes contain saline water.
However, Governor Guyo drilled a pipe that has been constructed from Merti to Biliqi and currently supplying water up to Biliqi.