Mandera County Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif has announced “significant advancements” in education and healthcare since he assumed office in August 2022.
Speaking during the third annual “State of the County Address,” Governor Khalif emphasized his administration’s commitment to improving the quality of life for Mandera County residents. He made those remarks at the new county assembly chambers, which was unveiled today.
The county chief noted that his administration has implemented “key initiatives and investments aimed at fostering sustainable development in these critical sectors.”
Governor Khalif underscored education as a cornerstone of Mandera’s development strategy, with a substantial budget allocation of Ksh. 3.74 billion, accounting for 9% of the total budget.
“We have made it our top priority to ensure our children from all backgrounds have access to education, as we are not only empowering individuals but also securing the future of our county,” he stated.
Governor Khalif said the “Elimu Kwa Wote” initiative has been pivotal in supporting learners, with bursary allocations increasing from Ksh. 350 million in the fiscal year 2022/2023 to Ksh. 460 million in FY 2023/2024.
“This initiative has benefited over 40,000 students, including 34,372 secondary school students and 5,697 university and college students,” the governor stated.
He added: “Through this initiative, we are witnessing the return of students who had previously dropped out due to financial constraints.”
The county has also made remarkable strides in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE), with enrollment rising from 23,499 pupils in 2021 to 35,238 in 2024.
This growth, he noted, can be attributed to investments in infrastructure and a school feeding program that has enhanced attendance rates.
“To support this growing number of learners, we have increased the number of ECDE centres from 312 in 2022 to 367 in 2025 and recruited an additional 450 ECDE teachers,” Khalif added.
In the healthcare sector, Governor Khalif announced a budget allocation of Ksh. 8.09 billion, which constitutes 20% of the total county budget.
He said the key milestones include the upgrade of Mandera County Referral Hospital to a Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital, enhancing its capacity to provide specialized medical services.
“Our commitment to healthcare is unwavering,” Khalif stated, highlighting improvements in maternal health, with skilled deliveries rising from 21,400 in 2022 to 26,165 in 2024.
The governor also pointed to 11% increase in immunization coverage for children.
“The total number of fully immunized children under one year grew by 8%, reinforcing our commitment to protecting our children from life-threatening illnesses.” he lauded
He stressed that efforts to expand healthcare access have included the rehabilitation of 27 health facilities and the operationalization of 12 new facilities across the county.
“With the official gazettement of 113 healthcare facilities, Mandera now has a legally recognized and well-structured healthcare system,” Khalif remarked.
Governor Khalif reiterated the importance of continued investment in education and healthcare to drive sustainable development in Mandera County.
“Our mission remains clear: to enhance the quality of life for our residents by ensuring full access to government services and sustained development across all sectors,” he affirmed.
