Thursday May 18, 2023
by STEVEN THUKU
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja (third left) leads a group of politicians and mayors from Somalia in a walk in Nairobi on May 17, 2023. He is accompanied by Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri (in red tie).
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja (third left) leads a group of politicians and mayors from Somalia in a walk in Nairobi on May 17, 2023. He is accompanied by Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri (in red tie). PHOTO JOHNSON SAKAJA
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, on Wednesday, May 17, hosted a delegation of mayors from Somalia on a tour to benchmark development and leadership in Kenya’s capital.
While receiving the delegation, the first-time governor and a former Senator noted that they wanted to learn from Nairobi to improve their country.
“Very glad to host the Mayors Omar Abdullahi of Kismayo, Abdullahi Watiin of Baidoa, Nadar Tabah of Beledweyne, Abdirahman Mohammed of Dhusamareeb and the Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu earlier today.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja (right) greets a group of mayors from Somalia in a walk in Nairobi on May 17, 2023.
“The Mayors and officials are in Kenya for capacity building and planning for the Somali Urban Resilience Project by the World Bank. Welcomed them to Nairobi and assured them of our support in setting up their institutions,” he stated in a statement.
He added that the lessons they learned in Nairobi would go a long way in improving the institutions in their home country.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja (right) greets a group of mayors from Somalia in a walk in Nairobi on May 17, 2023. PHOTO JOHNSON SAKAJA
“Was great hearing about their experiences as well as sharing our journey as we all strive to serve our people better,” he added.
He was accompanied by Nairobi’s Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri and Kamukunji Member of Parliament Yusuf Hassan.
Moreover, the governor noted that Kenya was available to support Somalia in its journey toward stability as a nation.
This followed, the opening of the Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia borderlands project that was launched by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
On May 11, Rigathi while in Mandera County during the launch of the Borderlands Project, stated that the opening of the border will help stabilize Somalia and Ethiopia.
“This project is a strategic investment for Kenya and people of the Horn of Africa. A stable Somalia and Ethiopia contribute immensely to a stable Kenya," he stated.
On May 15, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki announced the reopening of three border points between Kenya and Somalia that were closed 12 years ago.
“We have resolved that the border between Kenya and Somali will be reopened in a phased-out manner within the next 90 days effective today,” he ordered.
Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja (right), Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan (centre), and Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri (left) when they met mayors from Somalia in a walk in Nairobi on May 17, 2023. PHOTO JOHNSON SAKAJA