By Thaimu T. Kamara
In a time when many elected leaders struggle to move from talk to tangible results, His Worship Mayor Thomas Karimu Baio of Kenema City has emerged as a symbol of purposeful leadership and community-driven progress.
During the national joint launching of an EU-supported project held at the European Union headquarters in Freetown, Mayor Baio made a public commitment on behalf of the Kenema City Council (KCC) and the people of Kenema to ensure effective and efficient delivery of the initiative.
In a moment that signified strong partnership and mutual trust, Mayor Baio formally exchanged the signed project contract with the EU Ambassador, cementing Kenema’s place on the map of active development, I was elected to serve, not to sit. Every project and every initiative we undertake is rooted in the belief that the people of Kenema deserve better and we are delivering,” Mayor Baio emphasized during the engagement.
Under Mayor Baio’s stewardship, Kenema has experienced visible progress across several sectors, proving that local governance can indeed work when guided by vision, commitment, and accountability. His administration has:
Upgraded major roads with tarmac, improving transportation and boosting local business activities, created over 500 jobs for young people through sanitation and city beautification projects, strengthened support to local schools and students, aligning with Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education program, maintained strategic collaboration with NaCSA, the EU, and international development partners to sustain growth and development.
We are not waiting for miracles. We are building Kenema with what we have block by block, ward by ward,” Mayor Baio stated, Mayor Baio’s leadership style is admired for being transparent, hands-on, and responsive. He is often seen personally monitoring project sites, engaging directly with community members, and tirelessly advocating for resources that benefit the city.
He is not a mayor of words, but a mayor of results, said Madam Kowah, a local businesswoman, during a recent community outreach, His accessibility and consistent follow-through have made him a trusted figure in Kenema, particularly among youth, women, and grassroots leaders who feel seen and heard by his administration.
For many residents, Mayor Baio has become more than a politician he is viewed as a visionary public servant. His tenure has brought a renewed sense of hope that local government can be a force for positive change when guided by genuine intent and bold action, leadership is not about titles; it’s about service, the mayor often reminds his team, and we will continue to serve Kenema with heart, integrity, and purpose.”
As the city looks to the future, the people of Kenema are not just watching progress they are living it, thanks to a mayor who believes in building, not boasting, Mayor Thomas Karimu Baio continues to demonstrate that true leadership is measured not by promises, but by progress and Kenema is witnessing that progress every day.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 14th, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)