#TravelGarissa - Holidays are nearing and that every family wants to enjoy their holidays in the best ways. There are some of the five star hotels and beautiful sceneries that you never hear of when it comes to Garissa. We have regained peace and our security has been beefed up. To all our visitors who want to come and have fun, I wish to recommend the best hotels in Garissa. Where you can enjoy both indoors and outdoors. Today, my focus is on the Hotel industry and this industry plays a very vital role in our development and prosperity as a County. They make us and our visitors to enjoy more at home thus enable us work from anywhere. To all the investors and business community members who play a significant role in improving how we do our businesses and ensuring that we have facilities that can deliver, we are proud of you and celebrate you. The business, employment and investment opportunities that you create has put us on the limelight as one of the fastest growing towns in Kenya. The state of art hotels are here to make your lodging experience as pleasing as possible. The hotel consists of standard, executive, premium and deluxe suites with elegantly designed interiors for those who prefer a longer stay at the hotel. To those who to have a cup of camel milk tea, these are the ideal places to be. Karibuni Sana Garissa; Welcome to Garissa. The list is endless. For further information on the hotel of your choice, please contact: 1. Lantern Resort P.O.Box 45-70100, Garissa Tel: 0713-749-991 or 0774-988-885 and https://www.facebook.com/457339667786770/posts 2. Almond Hotel on 0711-829899- email: info@almond-resotr.com web http://www.almond-resort.com/ 3. Nomads Hotel on +254728714084; +254737379324 http://www.nomadpalacehotel.com/neweb

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.