Mandera County has for decades suffered underdevelopment. From poor infrastructure and insecurity, the area has had more than its fair share.
Then the perennial droughts, which has consistently left residents barely surviving.
According to Ahmed Abdi, a tarmac road and tall buildings were only seen in movies and the capital city Nairobi.
With onset of devolution in 2013, that narrative has remained a history as the area shows some signs of economic progress in the following years.
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During the reign of Ali Roba, the former governor 24 kilometres tarmac road was constructed in Mandera town and high rising modern houses put up for the county government of Mandera.
"In fifty years of independence, Mandera has seen light at the end of tunnel during the birth of devolution as we witnessed the first tarmac road and modern buildings as offices of the county government" said Abdi.
A greening program was undertaken and thousands of neem trees were planted along the pavement. 300 vulnerable mothers were employed to take care of them creating job opportunities for a thousand households in Mandera.
The county that was oppressed by successive government regimes before devolution has now been visited severally by head of states and governments.
In a projects meant to open up the Northern corridor to the rest of the country, president William Ruto toured the region in a casp of changes to fit North Eastern counties into the national development projects
These developments include street and home lighting, road construction, affordable housing projects, improved education infrastructure and improved water access through the drilling of boreholes in the region.
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A world bank funded high standard tarmac road project is being undertaken connecting Isiolo and Mandera counties and it will open up the region to the rest of the country
In the meantime several divisions in the county have also been upgraded to sub county levels thus bringing essential government services near the people.
According to Ali Hassan, a resident in Mandera this initiative has been instrumental in bolstering investments and attracting new investors to the region.
Hassan also highlights the operationalization of Khalalio sub county in Mandera East, Dandu Sub-County (Mandera West) and Ashabito Sub-County (Mandera North) as key game changers.
That has enhanced service delivery for the local communities in those areas as new Sub county administration has been put up by the county government of Mandera.
Leaders say the initiative has reaffirmed the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to deepening service delivery to all Kenyans and promoting inclusive development across Mandera County.
This affordable housing program aimed at delivering affordable shelter to low- and middle-income households is up and running in Mandera North
During a visit to the County in April by the head of state, Ruto highlighted progress on various development projects the government is undertaking in the region. progress in water supply and sanitation ,including water waste ponds and construction of sewerage systems .
The Kenya medical Training college campus is also another milestone which will help boost the numbers of health personnel in the county.
A jitume lab at the Mandera Technical Training institute was also inaugurated, a significant step towards boosting education and technology for the youth in this county.
While leaders in various sectors in Mandera appreciate these milestones, they reckon the potential that the county holds is immense.
A delegation of investors from Mandera County is seeking to meet the president to more development areas and potential collaborations.
This meeting, driven by the county’s business leaders and opinion shapers, aims to attract investment and promote economic growth in the region.
Under the Kenya kwanza administration, Mandera has seen the light of the day as the Isiolo-Mandera road begins to take shape and access to clean abundant water and sewaraga system in the pipeline.
