Hon.Salah Maalim Alio-Chair Land Sector Forum (LSF), Frontier Counties and CECM Lands,Housing and Urban Development,County Government of Mandera./HANDOUT
On the evening of 19 June 2026, distinguished guests, public servants, disability rights advocates and friends gather to celebrate the launch of Beyond the Horizon: Public Leadership Guiding Transformation, the second book by Harun M. Hassan. The occasion is more than a book launch. It is a celebration of resilience, purpose and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.
Harun Hassan's story is one of fate, destiny, determination and service. It is a reminder that life can change in an instant, but that the measure of a person is not the challenges they encounter, but how they respond to them.
Born into a polygamous family in Mandera, Harun's early years reflected the aspirations and struggles common to many children growing up in Kenya's marginalised regions. He began his educational journey at Mandera Boys Town Primary School before proceeding to the prestigious Starehe Boys' Centre and School. His academic excellence later earned him admission to Kenyatta University, where he pursued a degree in Environmental Planning and Management.
Like many ambitious young Kenyans, Harun entered public service with dreams of contributing to national development. He was energetic, physically fit and steadily building a promising career. Few could have imagined that fate would dramatically alter the course of his life.
Then tragedy struck.
A devastating road accident left him with a permanent disability. The injuries were severe. For many who witnessed the aftermath, survival itself seemed uncertain. Questions filled the minds of family members, friends and colleagues. Would he live? If he survived, would he ever regain his independence? Could he continue working? Would he remain active in public life?
These were not unreasonable doubts. Across the world, people who acquire disabilities often confront not only physical challenges but also social stigma, exclusion and diminished expectations. Society tends to underestimate what people with disabilities can achieve.
Yet Harun Hassan refused to allow the accident to define his future.
The transition from being physically able to living with a permanent disability is often accompanied by emotional, psychological and social challenges. It requires learning new ways of living, working and interacting with the world. Many people struggle to regain confidence after such life-changing events.
Harun chose a different path.
Rather than retreating from public life, he transformed adversity into purpose. He became a stronger advocate for inclusion, equal opportunity and disability rights. He demonstrated that disability is not inability. In doing so, he challenged deeply rooted stereotypes and became a source of inspiration to thousands of Kenyans.
His professional and leadership journey continued to flourish. He served as a Commissioner of the World Disability Union, became a Ford Foundation Fellow, pursued advanced leadership exposure at Indiana University, joined the United States-based think tank ARNOVA, and earned certification as a motivational and peer speaker in the United Kingdom.
These accomplishments were not merely personal victories. They represented a broader message to society: that people with disabilities possess immense talent, leadership potential and the capacity to contribute meaningfully to national development when given equal opportunities.
Today, Harun serves as a Commissioner of the Public Service Commission of Kenya, representing people with disabilities. In that role, he stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion within Kenya's governance structures. His appointment reflects both personal merit and the gradual progress Kenya has made towards recognising the rights and contributions of people with disabilities.
What makes Harun's story particularly compelling is that he did not merely overcome personal adversity; he transformed it into a platform for service. Many people who survive life-altering accidents understandably focus on rebuilding their own lives. Harun went further by dedicating himself to uplifting others facing similar challenges.
The launch of Beyond the Horizon therefore carries significance beyond the literary world. The book arrives at a time when public leadership globally is under scrutiny. Citizens increasingly demand leaders who embody integrity, resilience, empathy and transformational vision. Harun's life offers lessons in all these areas.
The title itself is symbolic. Horizons represent limits that appear distant and unattainable. To move beyond the horizon is to venture into territory others cannot yet see. It requires courage, hope and faith in possibilities that lie beyond present circumstances.
When Harun lay injured following his accident, few could have envisioned that he would one day become an internationally recognised disability advocate, a public service commissioner, a motivational speaker and an author. Yet that is precisely what happened. He moved beyond the horizon that others had drawn around his future.
His journey also carries important lessons for Kenya. Disability remains one of the most overlooked dimensions of inclusion and development. Many talented individuals continue to face barriers in education, employment, mobility and public participation. Harun's success demonstrates what becomes possible when society focuses on abilities rather than limitations.
For young people facing adversity, his story is a reminder that setbacks need not become permanent obstacles. For public institutions, it is evidence of the importance of creating inclusive systems. For leaders, it underscores the value of perseverance and service. For people living with disabilities, it affirms that their aspirations are valid and achievable.
As guests gather tonight at Tin Tin Restaurant to witness the launch of Beyond the Horizon, they celebrate not only a book but a remarkable life journey. They celebrate a man who turned pain into purpose, obstacles into opportunities and tragedy into transformation.
Harun Hassan's life illustrates a timeless truth: destiny is not determined by the circumstances that befall us, but by the choices we make in response to them. Many believed his career had ended on the day of the accident. Instead, that day marked the beginning of a new chapter, one that would inspire countless others.
His story is proof that even when life changes course unexpectedly, it is still possible to rise, lead and leave a lasting impact. Indeed, Harun Hassan has gone beyond the horizon and shown the rest of us what is possible when courage meets purpose.
MmThe writer is the CECM Lands,Housing and Urban Development, County Government of Mandera and Governance, Peace and Security Management Specialist-Horn of Africa.
