Mandera residents join Roba in defying elders on re-election

Mandera Governor Ali Roba addresses Elwak residents on August 23, 2016. The residents implored on him to ignore the Garre elders move to block him from seeking a second term. PHOTO | BRUHAN MAKONG | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In Elwak where the residents intercepted Mr Roba’s convoy as he entered the town on Tuesday evening chanting songs in his support, a resident Mr Adan Abdullah, said the elders erred.
  • The Garre elders resolved that Mr Roba, Senator Billow Kerrow and five other MPs and 18 ward representatives should not seek re-election to pave way for rotational leadership amongst the 20 Garre sub-clans.

Mandera Governor Ali Roba says he is happy with overwhelming support he has received from residents to seek re-election despite being barred by clan elders.

The locals have turned out in large numbers to receive Mr Roba in Mandera since the Garre Council of Elders made the decision in Banisa three weeks ago and urged him to ignore them.

Speaking to the Nation.co.ke on Wednesday after handing over 250 houses to Internally Displaced Persons in Rhamu who were left homeless following tribal skirmishes after last year’s polls, Mr Roba said: “I thank Mandera residents from all communities for their support.”

Mr Roba was also in Elwak, some 220 kilometres from Mandera Town, for grounding breaking ceremony of upgrading of Elwak hospital from Level III to Level IV.

“Thank you very much,” he said of the huge crowds that turned up to welcome him in Sala, Gari Bambo, Sukela Tinfa, Rhamu, Wargadud and Elwak.

“Such huge crowds have never been seen in Mandera before. In Elwak, residents lined-up for more than a kilometer to welcome and urge me on to contest for second term,” Mr Roba said.

Mr Roba also received a rousing welcome in Mandera Town on Saturday when he returned for the first time after the elders’ verdict.

On Wednesday, a happy Mr Roba said: “As you can see the residents have declared their 100 per cent support and asked me to defy the council of elders.”

In the areas, he visited, locals urged Mr Roba to turn a deaf year to the elders’ declaration barring him from vying in 2017 polls.

In Elwak where the residents intercepted Mr Roba’s convoy as he entered the town on Tuesday evening chanting songs in his support, a resident Mr Adan Abdullah, said the elders erred.

“They (elders) don't determine what is good for us. We are the ones who suffer if no development is brought to our area. The governor has done his part," he said.
Another resident, Ms Halima Hassan said the decision to elect leaders lies with the residents.

"We are going to decide in 2017. We shall elect people based on performance. Governor Roba has done all that is needed of a leader. We shall elect him back. We are not bound by the council of elders’ decision. They were not fair in their decision," she said.

Mr Roba reiterated he would seek re-election in 2017 because he has the support of the locals.

"The decision to re-elect and remove a leader lies squarely with you. It is your support that matters the most and not a decision by individuals. My decision is final," he said.

The residents said it was wrong for the elders not to look at aspirants’ development record while endorsing them.

CAUSED CONFUSION

The Garre elders resolved that Mr Roba, Senator Billow Kerrow and five other MPs and 18 ward representatives should not seek re-election to pave way for rotational leadership amongst the 20 Garre sub-clans.

But some elders from Mr Roba’s Rer Ali Jilib clan held meetings in Nairobi, Moyale, Takaba, Elwak, Moyale and Mandera and resolved to rally behind the governor for a second term in office.

The move has caused confusion among the three other Garre groups (Jilibs) and threatened to split them.

Mr Kerrow has since announced that he will abide by the elders’ decision not to vie for a second term.

Mandera residents opposed to the elders’ order argue it is undemocratic and does not fit in current political system.