By Prudence Minayo
Captain Ali Ibrahim Roba is the current governor of Mandera county. Prior to this, he worked as a pilot. According to Mandera county government website, the governor is an instructor and examiner who is approved by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) as a Rating Eximaner, A Training and Check pilot as well as Ground Instructor of various aviation related subjects.
Age
He was born on 15th March 1975 in Rhamu town in Mandera county.
Education
The governor attended the University of Nairobi for both his undergraduate and Postgraduate degree. His degree major was in marketing while his Postgraduate degree was in Strategic Management. He has also received training from other institutions including:
- Kenya Utalii College
- Kenya School of Flying
- Delta Qualiflight School of Aviation in Fort Worth, Texas.
Also Read: Pilot Training Fee Structure In Kenya And Requirements
Career
From 2002 to 2012, he worked for a multinational company called DAC Aviation International. DAC is a company that gets contracts specializing in humanitarian relief operations. Some of their top clients included: Shell International, ICRC, Energy International and European Union.
He began his career as a co-pilot and rose through the ranks to become Director of Flight Operations (DFO). As DFO, he was in charge of the company’s core business in over nine countries.
In 2008, he was appointed Chief Pilot for DAC International. He was among those who played a key role in achieving ‘A’ systems and operational Audit rating by DAC International.
Also Read: Ahmed Ali Muktar Biography, Age, Education and Career
Working in the aviation industry, he has played a vital role in the re-organization of flight Operations department and boosting the competency of operational control functions to greater levels within Kenya’s aviation industry.
On 4th March 2013, he was elected the governor of Mandera county. During the 2017 general elections campaigns, he vied again and nominated Mohamed Arai as his running mate. In his manifesto, he stated how he had set out to improve the lives of the locals and achieved a number of things. He credited his administration for tarmacking roads, availing ambulances and building of dispensaries.
“We gave every chance to enterprise and inventiveness as we rolled out services to our marginalized people and above all, not needlessly divide out clans further, but empower then,” read part of the manifesto.
He was re-elected in 2017.
Assassination Attempt
The county boss has been the victim of several Assassination attempts.
In October 2014 an IED exploded, damaging one of the vehicles in his convoy. This happened as he was going to his office in the company of four vehicles. The vehicle behind him was the one hit by the explosive.
In March 2015, his convoy was ambushed along Mandera-Arabia road leaving three people dead. The attackers fired a rocket propelled grenade that hit two of the escort cars. The governor was heading to a public meeting.
These two are among the attacks the governor says have been made against him.
House
Photos of his official residence made headlines last month. The house is a grandiose structure that stands tall in the vast dry land. The exterior grey theme and large luxurious windows adds to the allure of the house. Its structure portrays splendor in its finest form and obviously cost millions.
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A section of Kenyans were not happy with this accusing the governor of using public funds to build the house. Some said while the county was ravaged with poverty and violence, money was being spent on frivolous things.
Family
Hon. Ali Roba is married with nine children.
