Don’t abandon us, Mandera governor Ali Roba appeals to civil servants
What you need to know:
- Evacuation is a sign of defeat by Al-Shabaab. They want to divide patriotic Kenyans along religious lines.
- I am telling my brothers and sisters from other parts of the country that there is no need to go.
- We acknowledge we are having challenges, and as governor, I have responsibility over it, but I ask the National Government to put measures that will end terror attacks.
Nation:What is the state of Mandera County?
Mandera Governor Ali Roba: Mandera has heightened tension. The Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) keep on exploding in town. This is a sign of terrorist activities, and the security team should have used that as a warning. I raised the alarm but the police termed it business rivalry.
What I know is that the residents have nothing to do with IEDs. When one loses a deal, he or she does not keep any grudge because as Muslims — and this also applies to Somalis — God has given it to whoever has it.
Q. Now that the killing of the 28 was viewed as an attack focusing on non-Somalis and Christians, what’s the way forward? Non-locals want to go away.
A. I am telling my brothers and sisters from other parts of the country that there is no need to go. They should stay put because we have held talks with the National Government and agreed that security be beefed up. There will be more police patrols. KDF is also patrolling our streets and roads 24 hours a day. We are in Kenya and Mandera is part of Kenya. We all have a right to live and work anywhere. Our police are making corrections. To build Mandera, we need professionals from all corners.
Q: Non-Somalis working in the county feel threatened. What is your assurance that their safety is guaranteed?
A. We have put some things in place which I can’t disclose to you, but I call on them to report anyone threatening them because no one is above the law. We have teachers who were to go for holidays and we are going to ensure they proceed for their December holidays and those on duty we request them to report back and save the people.
SIGN OF DEFEAT
Q: Knut advised teachers not to report back when schools reopen in January unless the security is improved...
A. Any person calling for evacuation of civil servants from Mandera is wrong. I advise them to let Kenyans save fellow Kenyans because Mandera is not another country. Evacuation is a sign of defeat by Al-Shabaab. They want to divide patriotic Kenyans along religious lines. Even in Mandera Town, chiefs and police reservists have been killed, and yet they are Muslims.
Q: If the teachers and nurses decide to stay away for good what’s your plan?
A. I am doubting and praying that such a thing never happens. We are suffering and we don’t want to go back to 50 years of marginalisation.
Q: What is your message to the victims and the non-Somalis planning to get out?
A: We are all Kenyans and the challenge is facing us all. We have to prove to Al-Shabaab that we cannot be cowed. We acknowledge we are having challenges, and as governor, I have responsibility over it, but I ask the National Government to put measures that will end terror attacks.
