Mandera Governor Ali Roba has said that the council of elders has lost touch with the current political situation in the nation, adding that the leaders no longer need their support to rise to power.
According to Roba, the elders do not have the mandate to speak on behalf of the people of this part of the nation ahead of the August General polls.
Speaking on Sunday, the county boss said leaders looking for the endorsement of elders will be in for a rude shock.
However, the elders have insisted that they will continue to influence the region’s politics through their new outfit, Economic Freedom Party (EFP), which was formed to implement the resolution of the elders.
Isaac Abey, EFP’s Chairman, has insisted that there will no nominations in the county since the elders have already come up with a lineup ahead of the August general polls, adding that primaries are costly.
“It is very expensive to conduct party nominations in Mandera. It costs over Sh20 million for an MP to prepare for the nominations,” Abey said.
Roba has, however watered down the lineup of the elders, adding that the residents will vote based on agenda and nothing else.
“People will be elected based on their performance and not their clans or tribe. The campaigns must be about the agenda we have for our people and not about rotating leadership,” said Roba.
[Mandera Governor Ali Roba at a past function. According to Roba, the elders do not have the mandate to speak on behalf of the people.] www.werutv.co.ke