Mandera MCAs oust assembly majority leader

Mandera ward representatives on Wednesday voted out their leader of the majority from office.

The Economic Freedom Party MCAs ousted Abdi Hassan Ali with immediate effect and accused him of incompetence.

Mr Issack Dahir, an EFP nominated MCA said the leader of majority’s position had been replaced immediately by voting in Mr Abdi Adan Ali, Neboi MCA.

“This is our party issue and out of 27 MCAs of EFP, 19 voted the current majority leader out replacing him immediately because we want to stay in harmony,” he said.

He accused Mr Ali of grafting divisions among EFP MCAs at Mandera Assembly leading to lose of focus in carrying out party agenda.

“We followed the law just like the Senate did when dealing with Mr Moses Wetangula and he (Ali) is gone but to remain as an ordinary member,” said Mr Dahir.

Mr Ali was also accused of disharmonising EFP fraternity at the Mandera Assembly.

“He has not been living to the spirits and principles of our party and his lack of loyalty to the party has led to this situation,” said Mr
Dahir.

His removal according to the MCAs will strengthen the party on the floor and in Mandera County.

The fraction of the EFP MCAs said the majority leader was incompetent and lacked knowledge in house standing orders seven months since he was elected.

“We are willing and ready to work with government but we cannot achieve that with an incompetent leader,” said Mr Dahir.

Mr Kullow Alio Guyow, Rhamu MCA said their ousted leader was removed on technical grounds.

“Our leader has not been able to perform as we expected according to our party manifesto and that is why we removed him,” he said.

The MCAs said they had their party leadership blessings in dethroning Mr Ali including the council of elders that put them in leadership.

EFP was founded by council of elders in Mandera to deal with a “stubborn” Governor Ali Roba who had disobeyed their decree of not seeking re-election tightly holding unto Jubilee Party.

“EFP leadership including the council of elders is fully aware of this development despite this being our in-house issue and they supported it,” said Mr Dahir.

The ousted leader of majority when reached for comment maintained that he was still in office since the vacancy in his office was yet to be announced.

“I am still in office and awaiting a communication from the party leadership, I have not seen the communication kicking me out of office,” he said.

The assembly resumed sittings on Tuesday after Ramadhan break and it is expected to vet county executive members and chief officers including approving the county 2018/2019 budget.

“I am delighted to be elected the new house majority leader and unlike my predecessor, I shall work on uniting the house and ensuring that our party agenda is well communicated,” said Mr Abdi Adan Ali.

Mr Ali termed the happening at the assembly a political history that showed how Mandera has matured politically.

“We lacked professionalism in the past seven months and I will work on ensuring the house is in order so that we can serve our population properly,” he said.