Kenya’s former ambassador to Botswana, Mohamed Muktar Shidiye, when he was endorsed by the Auliyahan Professionals Garissa chapter for the Garissa gubernatorial race. PHOTO/UGC.
By ABDULHAKIM SHERMAN
The importance of visionary leadership in driving socio-economic transformation in Garissa County and Kenya at large; cannot be overstated, Kenya’s former ambassador to Botswana and an aspirant for the Garissa gubernatorial race, Mr Mohamed Muktar Shidiye, has said.
Speaking at his endorsement ceremony by the Auliyahan Professionals Garissa chapter, Mr Shidiye said true leadership is defined not by titles or positions, but by the ability to dream for one’s people, mobilise the necessary resources and, above all, uphold the integrity required to deliver on promises.
The former envoy was addressing hundreds of residents who attended the colourful event, which marked a significant political moment in his bid for the Garissa gubernatorial seat. The endorsement by professionals from across the county underscored growing support for his leadership vision and development agenda.
Mohamed Muktar Shidiye at his endorsement ceremony. PHOTO/UGC.
His words, laced with passion, ignited hopes in a region starved of development. Shidiye, now eyeing the 2027 gubernatorial seat, slammed the status quo in arid lands like Garissa, vowing selfless leadership to tackle youth joblessness, water woes, and crumbling infrastructure.
“We need strategic, committed service, not politics of self-interest,” he said, invoking Botswana’s success story of transparency and education investment as a blueprint for Garissa County if he wins.
Youth, whom he called “the single most important resource we have,” cheered loudest. “If we fail to empower them, we are writing off our own future,” Shidiye warned, striking at the heart of Garissa’s restless young brigade facing climate shocks and slim prospects.
Mohamed Muktar Shidiye with supporters at his endorsement ceremony. PHOTO/UGC.
The endorsement, backed by political heavyweights, scholars, and community elders, signals a seismic shift. Promises of inclusive growth, water projects, green conservation, school upgrades, and digital leaps have locals buzzing.
Mohamed Abdikadir Daud, an author hailed Shidiye’s speech as a perfect echo of resilience and ethical grit. “This captures the essence, empathy, strategy, and service in tough times,” Daud said.
For Garissa, long sidelined in Kenya’s growth story, the rally felt like a turning point. As 2027 polls loom, Shidiye’s star rises, fuelling talk of a county reborn through visionary rule.
Residents like youth leader Amina Hassan captured the mood: “This isn’t just endorsement. It’s our cry for real change.”
