For my 10 years in Conservation, while delivering services to the People of Garissa County, traveling from terrain to train, getting stuck in the mud, sitting down with the communities, the long stories and tales from our elder not forgetting the usual camel milk and the evening tea. The biggest treasure that I have come across is the beautiful names of our towns. The long maintained tradition and culture that has never changed. If you have never known this, you really need to know it today. Just imagine of how lovely they are and named after natural resources. From wildlife, to plants to even rocks. Very touching names. Indeed this is for the love of Nature. Our Communities are Conservationists. They take care of the environment. To each and every member of this great county who has taken the responsibility to ensure that our tree and other resources are safe, may you be blessed. The weather we are enjoying and the clean air is because of your enthusiasm and courage to stand up for our resources. And to those who have come up with these names, we are proud of you. For the honour of each and every person who has given these names, I will make sure that all these towns are branded and marketed and that the whole world is aware. With each town and the natural resources that is available documented. Just to mention our beautiful landscapes, our culture that has never changed, our wildlife and many more. I have shared with some of the local names and some of the scientific names that I could manage to get. To begin with, Garissa comes from the tree (Garas- Dobera glabra), Abakdera (Tall Acacias), Garasweino – The big Dobera glabra), Ohiyo, Kamuthe, Bura, Balambala (Balambal), Shanta Abaq – Five Acacias, Kulan - balanites aegyptiaca, Abakaile- Acacias, Libahlow – Lions, Danyere- (Danyer)- Monkeys, Hadley - Vultures, Qoni, Atheyley- Salvadora persica, Hagadera- (Hagar-dera- Tall Commiphora Africana), Dagahley – Rocks, Elan- Henna tree- Lawsonia inermis). Damajale – Commiphora candidula , Labisigale - Dusty Baobab, Waberi- Sunrise, Galbet- Galab- Evening Sunset, Mathagesi- Head of a Buffalo and finally Boni- The indiginous Somali community - The Hunters and the Gatherers. Our County is such a beautiful place to see, travel, discover and tell the world. It is enough to explore and toured. #TembeaGarissa

Today was a great day for the People of Garissa County and the rest of North Eastern Province for deliberating on matters of security in the region through the Online Platform- Maskani Kenya. The #MaskaniGarissa has trended and dominated the better part of the day. The online discussions brought together young people from the region and have fought for Human Rights and social issues, the Activists from diverse backgrounds. This I how serious our issues were. Today marks the second day since Garissa University Attack. Our day was specially dedicated as part of the anniversary. Thanks to the County Government of Garissa for setting up the monument in their honour. The environment here is o green and I also thank Kenya Forest Service for their inputs. Many thanks goes to everybody who participated in the anniversary. Garissa Community has decided to fully fight terrorism to the last minute in collaboration with the Government of Kenya. Many of the former students almost 32 of them have said that Garissa is their second home and they have nowhere else they will get their daily bread despite the attacks. The University dreams was to have the latest technology and courses that meets the market demands but unfortunately, the 2nd April 2015 attack killed this dream. Still we are determined to bring back the university to its toes. This is a sign of unity, hope and inspiration no matter the attack that happened. I wish to urge the local leaders, parents, and everybody else t get their children and even high school leavers to pursue their education at the university. Without the support of the locals, it will be very difficult to convince any other willing Kenyan student to continue with their education. Within this year, the best advantage we will be having as the people of Garissa is that the university will be charted and this will give it the independence to offer as many tailored courses and even in decision making. At the moment, the university gets everything from Moi University. As a country, we are still stronger and determined to protect our sovereignty and to defend our Constitution and the flag of the Republic of Kenya. I wish to say thank you very much to those who took part. Security starts me, security starts with you! Make this great country and county safer for prosperity and progress.

Acacia Destruction in Dadaab Refugee Camp - Acacia Under Threat

World Environment Day Celebrations, 2015

I have been honoured to spearhead the World Environment Day celebrations in Garissa which was marked globally in Garissa County. The World Environment Day (WED) is the biggest, most globally celebrated day for positive environmental action. The celebration of WED began in 1972 and has grown to become one of the main vehicles through which the United Nations encourages positive action for the environment every 5th of June. The theme for this year was, “One Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume with care”. This year has been an extraordinary one. Garissa has celebrated the biggest World Environment Day celebrations in history held at Young Muslim Academy. The event has brought together different persons and institutions who had big love for environment. It was indeed celebrated in style. Just to name a few activities such as tree planting, entertainment by school children, speeches from high profiled persons an awards session and finally media briefing. We will be holding our first Mazingira Tournament this week. This has been a platform in which all best environmental practices were recognized in addressing different environmental problems affecting us. On behalf of World Environment Day 2015 Garissa celebrations, I say thank you very much to all those who participated in marking this year’s celebrations, through you, we have successfully celebrated this year’s WED celebrations. Let’s all stand for a sustainable environment.

Last evening , I was honoured to receive my Queen’s Young Leaders Award 2015 from Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.The Queen’s Young Leaders Award Programme discovers, celebrates and supports exceptional young people from across the commonwealth, leaving a lasting legacy for Her Majesty the Queen. This has been a lifetime moment for me and to all those who have been very supportive to my Environmental Conservation work. It is an achievement not only to me but to the People of the Republic of Kenya and The Commonwealth at large. This was a great opportunity to meet the members of the Royal family such as Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, Princess Beatrice, the Duke of Gloucester and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent,Sir John Major (Former UK Prime Minister), Rob Brydon, Duncan Bannatyne and John Bishop. Other personalities include The one football legend David Beckham, Kenyan Ambassador to the UK H.E Amb.Lazarus Amayo, UK Comedian David Williams, Steve McQueen, Film Director and many others. It was a one on one meeting with the Queen. Not everybody who gets to meet the Queen but she is just so simple. What I noticed from her is that she is connected to Kenya and loves our beautiful country. This has been followed by an interview with the BBC. I wish to sincerely pass my heartfelt appreciation to all those who have been grateful to me and have been with me, offered all the moral support I needed. This could not have possible without you all. Special regards go to my entire family for their inspiration and offering me the platform to do what I love doing most; Taking care of Mother Nature. I wish to also say thank you all to all those developmental partners whom we have worked together over a decade now. Thank you to all those whom have in one way or the other impact on my life.