Deputy Governor of Mandera County Ali Maalim. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

On August 9, the great people of Mandera made an important choice to have United Democratic Movement Party candidates to steer the transformation of our county.

For that reason, the governor-elect, Mr Mohamed Adan Khalif, and I salute this solid mark of faith and trust bestowed us by our people.

We can't thank them enough. We take this responsibility with commitment and seriousness for to whom much is given, much is expected.

Building from what we have done, we will embark on implementing our manifesto that defined the agreement between us and the people of Mandera. We will walk our campaign talk and change the lives of Mandera people.

Of priority is to deliver on the promises we have made; free secondary, universal health, raising the living standards and provision of reliable and clean water supply to all urban areas and villages. These are crucial areas and we shall spare no thought and energy to implement our plans on them.

In addition, with the support of every Mandera farmer and business, we shall expand food and agricultural production through fertiliser subsidies, market linkages, and introduction of a county government purchase programme, especially for livestock. Of course, we commit to expand veterinary and agricultural extension services by investment in human capital and physical infrastructure.

Cash transfer

In the ongoing fight against poverty, we will support 20,000 vulnerable citizens through a cash transfer programme and create 2,000 jobs annually in the informal and formal sectors through the establishment of a Youth and Women Development Fund, specifically targeting youth and women-owned businesses.

A healthy Mandera is a wealthy Mandera. As a result, we have solid plans to ensure every health centre has a clinical officer and other relevant staff. At the same time, we shall provide free medical cover to 20,000 households comprising people with disabilities, the elderly and the ultra-poor who are not covered by national government programmes.

We also intend to equip all early childhood education centres appropriately and introduce a feeding programme for pupils attending ECD centres.

We will partner with other stakeholders, including development partners, and establish or equip one secondary school according to national school standards in every constituency.

We will also decentralise bursary allocation and invest in technical training colleges.

We shall devolve county government functions to the ward level and entrench community involvement in development. Our work will be consultative and we will need every Mandera resident's input for us to succeed.

Mandera people, the best times are ahead.

-Dr Maalim will be sworn in today as the Deputy Governor of Mandera County