By Abdikadir Sugow
For the first time since independence, Mandera County has produced a Cabinet Secretary nominee and the border county residents are cautiously optimistic.
The nomination of Mr Adan Mohamed to the position of the Industrialisation and Enterprise Development was unique not because of his rich academic credentials and work experience as a leading banker, but the harsh semi-arid county he was born and brought-up.
Mohamed was born in December 1963, in a county ignored by previous governments in the distribution of State positions. Politicians and professionals from Garissa and Wajir counties were the only ones who got the benefit of flying high the ministerial flags.
But what are the expectations of the Northern residents and Kenyans in general from this man who trusted to drive Kenya’s industrialisation agenda?
Mandera County Senator Billow Kerrow says locals expect the approach by President Uhuru’s administration on matters of State to differ markedly from that of his predecessors, and that he will commit himself to addressing the persistent complaints about discrimination raised since Independence against residents of Northern Kenya.
Rights violations
He says the first post-independence government set the pattern of these injustices in motion with the declaration of a state of emergency in the region, which effectively gave security agencies leeway to perpetrate massacres and other human rights violations.
The region also registered marginal economic development as compared to other areas due to marginalisation. Kerrow says Mohamed, one of Kenya’s celebrated chief executives, would deliver to the expectations of Kenyans.
He says it is true that despite the challenges facing Northern region, its potential for growth through significant untapped wealth remains obscured due to past draconic laws and ineffective leadership.
The senator said some of the highest returns to investments in roads, electricity, education and the greatest effects on poverty could also be achieved in marginal, rain-fed areas.
Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Moyale, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa and Tana River counties lacked proper attention –hence now expecting the Jubilee government give them attention.
Kerrow says the region’s livestock and domestic trade, natural wealth, tourism and strategic position provide an opportunity for county leaders to focus on positively tapping this great potential.
He said commercial deposits of oil and natural gas are likely to be found in Arid and Semi-arid Lands plus sand and gravel for construction, precious minerals, soda ash, gum resin and medicinal plants.
Banking career
Residents also believe Mohamed has what it takes to deliver. In recognition of his contribution, Barclays Group recently promoted him to the role of Chief Administrative Officer with responsibilities for ten countries in Africa.
Prior to Barclays, he worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers for seven years in London where he trained as a chartered accountant.
With his financial background and expertise in banking, he could shape the Ministry of Industrialization and Enterprise Development to be the cornerstone of new enterprise creation.
His success will be seen in both jobs and financial sector assets growth. Kenyans, in particular residents of northern Kenya will live to see if the Uhuru administration will work without discrimination.
