Page 9 - MANDERA-COUNTY- THE 2019 MAGAZINE

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Member of Building Bridges to Unity Taskforce Major (Rtd) John Seii
“I was last in Mandera 53 years ago. Mandera town was a hamlet. All we could see then
were thickets, wild animals and sparse population. For the six months that I stayed in the area
we used to draw water from River Daua using donkeys, but the changes I have witnessed are
tremendous,. My visit this year is a complete contrast to that of a half a century ago. The
people are very friendly and what has amazed me most is the resilience of the people to
develop their county despite threats posed by insecurity. Devolution has played a major
role in the development of the region..

Building Bridges to Unity Taskforce CEO Amb Dr Stephen Karau
“I first visited Mandera in 1979 as a military doctor to pick a referral patient and ten years
later, travelled back to the county to pick family members of the then dethroned Somalia
president Siad Barre at Elwak. The two instances gave me a sneak peek of the county.
However my recent visit as the Building Bridges Initiative CEO gave me an opportunity
to interact with the residents and leaders. Contrary to belief, Mandera is secure, with
vibrant wananchi and huge strides in development. My message to all Kenyans is that
this is a stable and secure country.”

Principal Secretary Ministry of Defence
Saitoti Torome
“We appreciate the pace of development in
Mandera and the progress made in the border
securitization programme. Thank you Office of the
Governor for your warm reception,”

Former Methodist Church Presiding Bishop Lawi Imathiu
“When I first visited the Mandera in the mid-1960s during the Shifta War under
the umbrella of the National Council of Churches Kenya (NCCK), Mandera was just
a small village devoid of any development. Today, I am impressed at the level of
development initiated by the county government. With its vast land, Mandera can
be turned into an agricultural hub if proper measures are put in place. The country
is an interesting destination toi visit”.

Building Bridges Initiative Vice-Chairman Prof Adams Oloo
'It is a lifetime experience. I’ve never been here before. It’s a historic visit to the
frontline of the country. Governor Roba has turned around Mandera and I give him
credit despite the climate challenges and security issues. I am very impressed with the
great development I have witnessed and the cooperation between the county and the
national government. It is completely contrary to the perception of many Kenyans who
have never visited Mandera County. My appeal is to the people of Mandera to help the
government in securing of our border as it takes both them and the government to
establish a safer county,”