In 27th Aug 2010, the Republic of Kenya promulgated a new constitution. In it was enshrined the devolved governance that brought hopes to millions of marginalised Kenyans in the periphery where wealth seldom drips. Then came the ‘maendeleo mashinani’ dreams. In Mandera, individuals devolved negative ethnicity, poor governance, nepotism and corruption as the ‘our time to eat’ mentality firmly embedded in the minds of our county’s senior officials. Where on earth will you find a member of county executive who lived in a humble dwellings days before election buying a Ksh 28 Million property in the capital city after just a year in the office and another member buying properties in rows totaling Ksh 90 million? Where on earth will you find a first time MP buying properties in Isiolo, Nanyuki and Nairobi as his constituents lack basic needs such as clean water and proper health care? Even as we question the genesis of such suspicious crave for high end properties among our once humble leaders, the cancer of nepotism is devolving kins of those in office from as far as North America & the United Kingdom. It is only in Mandera that individuals who served in humble jobs like police, teachings and small scale business are driving posh motor vehicles, thanks to their blood connections. Some have resigned from their previous jobs to fully concentrate on the looting spree. Our selected (none faced competitive election) and imported (nominated) MCAs are no better as they serve in a toothless assembly that resembles China’s communist party politburo house that’s used as a rubber stamp authority. Our pot-bellied MPs are busy rehearsing for 2017 political marathon against the backdrop of constant and consistent insecurity, lack of aquatic resource, poor education and health standards as well as poor infrastructure. Although I respect Hon Billow Aden Kerrow, his silence on the ills of our county raises my eyebrows. And we are the only county with no women representative! May we reach 2017 peacefully Insha’Allah!
