Ahmed Ali Muktar was sworn in as the third Governor of Wajir county on 18 May 2021. This was after the Senate upheld the impeachment of Mohamed Abdi Mohamud over gross violation of the Constitution 2010. In his first speech after taking office, the new Governor promised that his administration will focus keenly on water, health and education.
“My pledge of service is premised on objectivity and professionalism. I appeal for your support.
I will meet the health workers today with a view of addressing their issues. I will desist from nepotism and skewed allocation of resources which erodes people’s confidence,” he said.
At first, he wanted to vie for this seat in 2017 but opted out to play second fiddle to the disgraced ex-Governor. He previously contested for the Wajir South parliamentary seat four times but was unsuccessful.
Age
The governor is in his late 30s.
Education
Muktar holds a Master’s in policy and Public Administration from Kenya’s top Business school Strathmore University. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the same University.
Career
In 2017, he approached his clan elders with the hope of vying for the gubernatorial seat but was rejected. Not willing to give up on his dream of becoming a leader, he approached elders in a bid to get their blessings to run for the Wajir South parliamentary seat. However, he was still denied this chance and they endorsed Mohammed Mohamud Sheikh
Following the decision of the elders, Muktar joined the political wing of impeached governor Mohamed Abdi who was running on a Jubilee party ticket. He then went on to become the deputy governor of Wajir following the 2017 general elections where Abdi Mohamed won the gubernatorial seat.
In May 2021, luck smiled at him as he got the chance to have the job he previously wanted. Following the ouster of Mohamud, Ali Muktar was sworn in as the third governor of Wajir county in a ceremony presided over by Justice Chitembwe. The newly elected governor is expected to hold this office until the next elections in 2022. He has promised to work for the good of the county and the likelihood of him vying for this gubernatorial seat come 2022 are very high.