Governor Ali Korane has finally broken his long silence over the widespread calls for a referendum.
Speaking on Saturday during the homecoming ceremony of Ambassador Mohamed Shidiye, Korane said he will only support the calls if the proponents show a clear reason why the exercise should be conducted.
Korane further said that he would not be party to a referendum whose agenda is inclined to 2022 political succession.
"We have witnessed two such events, the first being in 1963 when we opted to secede from Kenya and join Somalia and then in 2010 when we voted for the new constitution," the governor said. He further added that the 1963 referendum was ill-advised and it failed but the region benefited from 2010 which ushered devolution.
"We will therefore only support any forthcoming referendum based on our interests,"' said Korane.
Also during the function, the governor thanked the president for appointing Hon Ambassador Mohamed Shidiye as Kenya's High Commissioner to the Republic of Botswana.
The Garissa Governor stated that the latest appointment was a vote of confidence by President Uhuru Kenyatta to the people of Garissa county.