By Abdimalik Hajir
Garissa Gubernatorial aspirant Mohamed Shidiye yesterday pledged to transform the county’s development approach and ensure that residents fully benefit from the devolved system of governance.
Speaking at Shanta Abaq in Lagdera constituency, Shidiye has vowed to overhaul the county’s development strategy and prioritize youth oriented policies to create jobs and solve perpetual water challenges.
The former Lagdera member of parliament said huge unemployment amongst youths have prompted them to engaged themselves in dangerous journeys, this he said need concerted efforts to restore confidence and create jobs opportunities.
Garissa has many challenges lack of water, unemployemnt,no drugs at hospitals, garissa need planning roads, I have the experience to ensure safeguarding of devolved resurces
”Now 15years of devolution but we yet to fully see its benefit its because the challenges and needs of our people are too many the devolved money is also not enough,” he said.
Shidiye said with proper planning and a lot of efforts we can transpfrm the county with few resources.
IN PICTURES: Former Botswana Ambassador to Kenya and 2027 #Garissa Gubernatorial candidate, Mohamed Shidiye, was on Sunday endorsed by his Aulihan clan at Shanta Abaq during his tour.
The former Lagdera lawmaker said he will ensure resources trickle down to the grassroots… pic.twitter.com/kTnI1ePttW
— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) September 24, 2025
Gubernatorial aspirant noted that it was unfortunate that Garissa with over 1million population doesn’t have any factory that produces anything.
Shidiye said that as a results of climate change many are now opting migrating to major town something he said adds pressure in terms providing services such as water.
He said the rural-urban migration has resulted pastoralists to abandon livestock noting that he has plans for farmers.
The former lawmaker said River Tana that passes less than 5km from Garissa town had become a menace instead of locals benefiting from it citing recent flooding that demolished farms.
”InshaAllah if elected I have plans to ensure the River does not destroy our livelihood but we have a maximum benefit from it,” he said.
Ambassador Mohamed Shidiye being endorsed by his Aulihan clan at Shanta Abaq during his tour, the former Lagdera lawmaker said he will ensure resources are trickle down to grassroots level. Photo/Abdimalik Hajir
With 12billion already spent, Shidiye said there is no tangible infrastructure done by the county a matter he said it’s unfortunate but noted that he will ensure every coin mean for the devolved unit is spent prudently.
”If given a chance to serve you as your next givernor, I believe I will the first person to offer water to Garissa town as a results of vast knowledge and experience I have,” he said.
Shidiye said as a governor he will ensure that resources are trickle down to the sub-counties adding that the essence of devolution is to take resources to every sub-county and wards at grassroots level.
Ambassador Mohamed Shidiye with members of the public during his rally at Shanta Abaq in Lagdera. Photo/Abdimalik Hajir
The gubernatorial aspirant told locals to rally behind President William Ruto and his government noting that he deserve rewards what his government has done to Northeastern region.
”Our appreciation to President Ruto is to elect him again for him to finish his second term, this is because he has done so much for our people,” he told the huge crowd that came to welcome him.
