MANDERA SENATOR BILLOW KERROW ACCEPTS THE GARRE COUNCIL OF ELDERS VERDICT, SAYS HE WON’T BE SEEKING RE-ELECTION IN 2017.
Below is his FB post.
“The Garre Council of Elders in Mandera has resolved that all political seats held by the clan shall be vacated by the serving leaders, and shall be given to various sub-clans in the community. This model of rotation of key political seats within the community was agreed upon in a community charter signed by all the 20 sub-clans in 2012.
Consequently, the current Governor, myself as the Senator, the County Women Representative and 4 MPs representing Mandera North, Mandera South, Mandera West and Banissa constituencies will forfeit their seats in the 2017 coming election.
The resolution of the Council was adopted at a meeting in Banissa this weekend attended by thousands of community elders, professionals, Ulamas and other leaders. By the end of this week, it will be clear who the potential candidates for these positions will be insha Allah.
I totally support the decision of the Council which represents the views of the larger community that has expressly stated its preference for a ‘negotiated democracy’ between its various components in order to enhance internal equity, and unity of the community. Pursuant to this decision, I shall not be seeking any elective post in Mandera county in the coming 2017 election insha Allah. I want to urge all my colleagues affected by this resolution to accept the decision of the Council for the larger interest of the community, and step down gracefully.
Nonetheless, my term as the Senator of the county ends after the next general election. Hence, I shall continue to execute my mandate in representing the residents of Mandera county in the Senate, and to exercise oversight over the county government. Indeed, my usual numbered oversight posts informing the residents on the performance or otherwise of Mandera county government will continue.
Amid concerns that those in power in the county will be tempted to empty the coffers as the election looms, my office will exercise an even greater vigilance over the county resources. You can take that to the bank!
I urge the county administration to resume operations in their offices as most services are shut down after the decision to replace the Governor.”
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