Discover the hidden treasures of Wajir County

In Swahili, it is called “tenbea one mengi.” The vastness and wealth of this country can be surprising at times. Let's take Wajir District as an example. The public knows very little about this remote real estate treasure.

Wajir occupies the northern corner of the country, bordering Ethiopia at its tip and long hugged by Somalia on its right. It is one of the top three counties by area, the others being Turkana County and Marsabit County.

In many people's minds, it is a difficult region of dry land, insecure territory, and staffed by civil servants lining up to treat Siberia. It's true that temperatures rise into uncharted territory for those accustomed to dry, high-altitude temperatures.

However, there is much that is unknown about Wazir. When you scratch the ground, water gushes out from the belly of the earth. The large town of Wajir is dotted with fine hotels with lush gardens for those seeking accommodation.

First of all, a trip to this town doesn't have to be painful. One of Kenya's largest airports is available. Indeed, Wajir International Airport is a surprise. An hour later, we depart from the increasingly patchwork surface of Wilson Airport and land in Wajir. One of the puzzling things about this country is why the runway at Wilson Airport can't be lined with a layer of smooth surface.

Wilson Airport's traffic is unique, but it still smells dilapidated and abandoned. A forgotten gem. But this story isn't about Wilson Airport. Stay with Wazir. Almost all domestic airlines fly to Wajir.

When you visit hotels in the city, the food is sweet and well made. For most people, it is their first taste of camel meat and camel milk, strong tea made with camel milk, and for coffee lovers, it is cappuccino made with camel milk. Camel meat is surprisingly sweet and lean.

But of course, camel products are also expected. Therefore, goat meat is sweet and lean, but leave it alone. At the Town Mall – Wajir has a mall. They offer home and away christened drinks. It's smooth and has everything: dates, coffee, peanuts. The waiter offers it and smiles sheepishly at you as he rushes to get it.

That this arid land is being farmed is another story. The affable county governor, Ahmed Abdullahi, smiles easily as he talks about his 5,000-acre farm, where he harvested excellent corn without irrigation and with only El Niño rains.

Wajir's watermelons are large and sweet. It's a well-known secret in Wajir that hotels can afford to serve local food and you'll be able to eat your fill. In the far north of the county, local residents have taken up beekeeping. These farmers have become celebrities of sorts.

Last year, they visited Eldoret (what some of them call the other Kenya), attended a governor's meeting and showcased their produce. They were shocked by the interest shown in their honey and, months later, are scrambling to meet the demand created by orders from the conference.

Apart from the county government's contribution to empowering these local people, other alternative players in empowering communities work with communities on a daily basis, drawing on local knowledge and building the capacity of these people. We are a development partner. Be self-sufficient.

The World Food Program, Save the Children, Mercy Corps, and others, surprisingly, the list is not as long as one might expect, but they also provide funding for water supply, education, table banking, and medical services that complement the county's work. We provide many services such as boring and drilling. National governments.

The faster the country's infrastructure is developed and Kenyans have access to every corner of the country, the easier the country's economy will open up to everyone.

— The author is Dean of the School of Communication, Daystar University