Why Mandera MCAs approved the County Executive Committees

Mandera County Assembly members during a session approving the County Executive Committee. PHOTO: /KULAN/

MANDERA—Mandera County Assembly has finally approved County Executive Committees (CECs) after months of political standoff between Economic Freedom Party (EFP) who enjoys majority in the Assembly and Jubilee Party led by Governor Ali Ibrahim Roba.

The county legislators agreed that the reasons that led to rejection of the same list of nominees in November 2017 have since changed.

“We rejected this list because of the political situation we were in then but that has since changed and we have to approve it now,” said Darkale MCA, Yukub Hassan.

The 10 CECs approved by the assembly are Izzudin Abdullahi, Mohamed Ali, Suleikha Harun, Mohamed Adan, Ahmed Sheikh, Abdiaziz Sheikh, Johara Mohamed, Aden Hussein, Shamsa Mohamed and Ibrahim Barrow.

While debating the adoption report, Mandera County Assembly Majority leader Abdi Adan said there were no petitions filed by members of the public against all the CeC nominees unlike the previous vetting where several integrity issues were raised against the appointed CECs.

As the lawmakers approved the list, the High Court barred them from forwarding the approved list to Governor Ali Roba.

“I wish to bring to your attention that as we carry out our duty today, there is a court order barring us from forwarding our report to the governor,” said Mohamed Khalif, a Member of the County Assembly.

The secret handshake between Governor Ali Roba and his political rival Hassan Nuur Hassan of EFP is reported to have played a key role in ensuring the list sails through after the two leaders sorted their political differences.

Sokorey Maalim, a nominated MCA noted that Mandera is at peace politically hence the need to form a government quickly.