Retain Fatuma Hirsi as Principal Secretary, Wajir elders plead with Uhuru

Principal Secretary for Tourism Fatuma Hirsi in past event. (Courtesy)

WAJIR—Elders and opinion leaders in Wajir have asked president Uhuru Kenyatta to retain the Principal Secretary for Tourism Fatuma Hirsi.

In a show of solidarity, the elders said her reappointment would serve as payback for the support the county extended to Uhuru and Jubilee leaders.

“Beside being our daughter, Fatuma was a performer and she delivered going by how her ministry survived in a period of great despair due to the terror attacks and travel warning by embassies,” Mohamed Haji Dakane, an elder said, flanked by several other elders who were key in Uhuru’s reelection bid.

Fatuma Hirsi, the elders said, was the force behind Uhuru’s reelection after his 8th August victory was quashed by the Supreme Court.

“She rallied us to support him (Uhuru) and today, we are appealing to the president on her behalf to let her continue the good work she is doing for the country,” Dakane, the chairman of Elders for Peace Initiative said.

The head of Wajir Good Governance, Hashim Elmoge said Hiris was the leading figures that moved Wajir County from the opposition to the Jubilee party.

“She saved this county from the gnaws of opposition,” he said.

On her part, the Wajir Women Representative Fatuma Gedi assured that the elected leaders from the county would lobby for her reappointment.

“She has delivered and we would ask the President to keep her in the team to deliver his legacy,” the youthful MP said.

Wajir County voted for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in 2013 General Elections.  In 2017, they switched parties and joined Jubilee.