PHOTOS: Former CS Najib Balala visits ancestral land in Yemen after 17 years

Former Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala is elated after travelling to his ancestral home in Seiyun, Yemen, for the first time in 17 years.

Balala, in a post on Twitter, said he travelled to the country in the Middle East on Saturday, December 10, to see family and friends.

The 55-year-old was received by high-ranking government officials and community leaders at Seiyun International Airport.

“Traveled to Seiyun – Republic of Yemen to visit my ancestral land after 17 years to see family and friends. Received by Under Secretary of the Governate of Hadhramouth Eng. Hisham Al Saeedi,” Balala said.

“D.G of Security Brig. General Abdulla Salmeen Bin Habish, D.G Ministry of Tourism Ali Muhammad Al Saggaf, Seiyun International Airport and Airforce staff led by Brig. General Sadiq Bakhit and Clan Chief Sheikh Saleh Mabkhout Balala, community leaders, friends, and family.”

The long-serving Tourism CS and seasoned politician was born in Mombasa in 1967.

He exited office last month following the inauguration of the Kenya Kwanza administration that took over from former President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Jubilee party. He was replaced by former Kitui Deputy Governor Peninah Malonza.

Thereafter, Balala was appointed Vice-President of a global wildlife conservation charity Fauna and Flora International (FFI).

Established over a century ago, Fauna and Flora International is the world’s oldest international wildlife conservation organization.

The organization shapes and influences conservation practices around the world.