Rhamu accords heroic welcome to the Walk of Hope activists

BY: Abdi Adan Ahmed (@abdiscientist)

MANDERA—Hundreds of Rhamu residents and others from different parts of Mandera North turn out in their numbers early Sunday morning at a place 7 KM outskirts of Rhamu to give heroic welcome to the Walk of Hope team.

Rhamu residents listen as the activists talk of their journey. (courtesy)

The residents from all walks of life put their differences aside as they converged as early as 5:00am to give the team a welcome that befits their status. Business at the town’s trading centres came to a standstill as the team, accompanied by hundreds of welcoming residents, made momentous entry into the town.

Walk of Hope activists accompanied by area residents as they made an entry into the town centre (Courtesy)

The activists later addressed the jubilant residents of Rhamu at Baraza park. Men, women, schoolchildren and national government representatives, led by the Deputy County Commissioner, Mr. Kambi attended the function.

Cultural dancers stage a folk dance at the welcoming function. (Courtesy)

However, the absence of the county government of Mandera was evident as they did not have a representative at the function unlike in Wajir where the Deputy Governor, Abdihafidh Yarrow was present and Garissa, two county ministers attended the flag-off ceremony. Only Mrs. Sahara Bashir, the county minister for livestock, attended the function in her private capacity as a resident of Rhamu.

Salah Mohamed, an activists in the march shared this poto on his Facebook timeline. (Courtesy)

Despite the complete boycott of the county government, the residents of Rhamu have managed to raise enough funds to cater for the team and other guests. A series of events have been planned for the next two days which will culminate in peace volleyball and soccer matches before the team depart for Mandera.