County News
The “Broke Governor” says he won’t allow luxury if elected to lead Wajir County
Salah Abdi Sheikh explain his campaign manifesto at a conference in Nairobi. Photo/ COURTESY
NAIROBI—The Third-way Alliance gubernatorial aspirant for Wajir County Salah Abdi Sheikh launched his campaigns at Nairobi on Sunday.
The event attracted several key political personalities, among them Dr Ekuru Aukot, the leader of the Third-way Alliance.
Speaking at the event which was attended by Wajir voters in Nairobi, Dr Dayow who was invited by Salah to speak at the event said, ”Being an activist is not something that you wake up to one morning and you start doing it, it’s inborn.”
He said Salah is a good example of an activist. He added that apart from his book—Blood on the Runway: The Wagalla Massacre of 1984—a book on Wagalla Massacre, he also championed the Walk Of Hope.
“He really has Wajir County interest at heart and if given chance he will change Wajir County,” he urged.
Reacting to calls on whether Salah should have gunned for a lesser influential seat, he replied that, “Salah is not an Mp material…he really can do so much for the people of Wajir.”
Salah Abdi Sheikh reiterated that he would lead a simple life devoid of luxury.
“Word on the streets has it that I am broke. Well, I’m broke and I will be the Broke Governor after the August 2017 elections,” Salah Abdi said at the event.
The gubernatorial candidate highlighted several key areas his administration would champion if elected among them literacy programs, poverty eradication , community re-organizations, economic recovery and tackling corruption menace at the county level.
On literacy programs, Dr Salah said that his administration would fight the massive illiteracy level in the county.
“92 percent of Wajir residents today are illiterate. My administration will work on bettering the current situation by employing our University students who will help our local teachers during their holidays and teach our younger ones.
“In turn we will help those university students with bursaries and scholarships,” he stated.
He added that his administration will employ 400 more teachers, “Even if I will be forced to convince high school leavers to take up teaching courses.”
Salah said his administration will be inclusive and the voters will define his government.
“We will do mass public awareness on the importance of education,” he noted.
The finance and management consultant also hinted that he would impose hefty fines on Miraa-carrying vehicles in the county. He said the Miraa menace had had a negative impact on the economic prosperity of the county and the neighboring counties.
“The sh 200,000 fine will be reimbursed into developing the county. We have the capacity and the ability to do that and if elected that would be a reality,” Salah assured.
Under the social welfare program, he said he would introduced monthly set amount of payment aimed at directly improving the livelihood of the county residents.
“We propose child support for the poorest 10,000 households at the rate of Kshs. 3,000 per child per month for the first five (5) children. This will inject Kshs. 150 million directly into households every month” he said.
