Mandera residents have a reason to smile following the opening of the first ever supermarket in the county.
Mandera Governor Ali Roba graced the official opening of the El-Matt Supermarket on Tuesday saying it’s a relief for county residents who used to travel for many kilometres to access a supermarket.
Speaking during the event, Roba encouraged investors to invest in the county so as to enable local residents to do business and improve their livelihoods as well as the county's economy.
“I graced the official opening of the first supermarket in Mandera County, Elmatt Supermarket. Elmatt Supermarket proves that Mandera is a county where business investments can thrive and the testimony against the veil of insecurity cliche in Mandera that has over the years discouraged investors,” reads part of the governor's Facebook post.
“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage the residents to invest locally because East or West, home is best. My immense appreciation goes to the owners of Elmatt Supermarket for the major confidence in doing business in Mandera. Congratulations and May Allah bless your businesses,” added the post.
El-Matt’s proprietor Hussein Ali Haji said the reason for opening a Supermarket in Mandera was because of the rise in population in the county due to devolution.
Hussein said the supermarket will provide job opportunities for county residents.
“We are having a population increase in Mandera due to devolution and I thought it is a good idea to start up something that will provide all that is needed under one roof,” he was quoted by Daily Nation.