Elders and political leaders from Mandera County today threatened President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto that they would defect from the ruling administration claiming they were being ill treated.
In a candid meeting held today at Sir Ali Muslim Academy in Ngara, Nairobi, a resolution was made that Garre Council of Elders make a binding decision on the next political move the region should make in a week’s time.
Although hundreds of residents in attendance unanimously approved the decision to defect to opposition National Super Alliance (Nasa), the team was hesitant.
“I thank you all Mandera people for your open suggestions and contributions you have made without coercion. We as elders have heard what you have said. We will sit down and make a decision in good faith in a week’s time,” Gare Council of Elders chairman Haji Ali Noor.
The team led by Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow, Mandera governor aspirant Hassan Noor Hassan, senatorial aspirant Hassan Osman and Women Representative aspirant Amina Gedow decried that Jubilee leadership has ignored elders decision on negotiated democracy and list of aspirants agreed upon.
“In 2013, we elected Jubilee 98 per cent as elders demanded. We have met Deputy President Ruto twice and His Excellency the President four times. The governor and two others have defied elders’ decision and they cannot bring Jubilee 90 per cent of the votes. It is like the Deputy President has chosen to listen to Governor Ali Roba. I he wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to be elected, he must stop this. He cannot decide for the people of Mandera,” Kerrow said.
The Senator, who was also ordered to relinquish his bid in favour of Osman has six months to serve ahead of August presidential polls.
Kerrow accused the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for allegedly giving falsified reports on political matrix of Mandera County which controls 180,000 voter basket.
He accused Indutrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed and the governor of misleading the president.
“It seems the 98 per cent support is being taken for granted. A political party is not religion and our options are not limited. In 2013, we voted for URP and it is not automatic that our support will go that direction. We believe the president of this country is a good person,” Hassan Noor said.
They insist the Jubilee leadership must agree on the negotiated democracy of the region as they did in 2013.
The eminent fallout comes at a time Jubilee and Nasa are grappling to solidify their respective political bases ahead of the polls.
“If the president cares about his political future of 2017, he has to decide by the end of today.” Mandera Women Representative Fathiya Maji Mahbub said.
The group also cited marginalization, insecurity and prolonged curfew imposition in the region.
