Outrage in Mandera as Governor supports Security Law

MANDERA governor has made it clear that he supports the Security Law, albeit not wholesomely.

Governor cpt Ali Roba while addressing the public on Jamuhuri day.

By: Abdikadir Okash

In a tweet posted to his official Twitter account, Governor Ali Roba threw his weight behind the controversial Security Law that was passed Thursday afternoon in the National Assembly, saying lack of proper restrictions could prove hard in the fight against terror. In what appears to be a betraying statement, the governor supported more restriction and a leeway for the security agencies to curtail some fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Constitution “if the security of the country has to be restored.”

“Policing cannot be democratised in a country like ours. We need some restrictions to facilitate security issues,” he tweeted to a barrage of support and disgust in equal measure.

“#LetsTalkMandera ‏@salimse77
Sir @aliiroba Skills and competencies are what ail the security system and not the laws,” one tweet read.
#LetsTalkMandera ‏@salimse77

“Sir @aliiroba Bill will infringe on many basic rights and liberties of Kenyans without necessarily addressing insecurity,” he added.

Abdiwahab Ibrahim ‏@Abdiwahab4051
“@aliiroba ur Excellency read the public mood,” tweeted another follower.

Besieged, the governor softened his stand and called for dialogue to iron out the contentious clauses.
HE. Ali Ibrahim Roba @aliiroba •
“Let’s discuss boldly what is wrong with the bill So that everyone gets to understand the real issues that must be looked into,” he tweeted.
That at least seemed to resonate well with his followers who called for amendments to the law that has got the civil society and the opposition coalition—CORD—in protest.
In a rejoinder one twitter user tweeted:

“Abdinasir haji ‏@naskahajka
“@aliiroba @lecturer115 quite in order Mr if they can give that chance then surely u will.”

Mandera County Senator Billow Kerrow

The governor and his senator are divided on the law, opinion-wise, as Billow Kerrow made it clear that he objects to the passage saying the law threatens to slide the country back to regime high-handedness.
Supporters of the governor’s comment justified his reaction to the law, saying Mandera County has borne the brunt of terrorism attack that left at least 64 people dead in November alone. The Al Shabab instigated attack saw mass exodus of skilled labourers, mainly teachers and medical practitioners, from the county.