The news that that some elected leaders from Mandera County including Senator Billow Kerrow will not be defending their seats in the next general elections has shocked many and got Kenyans talking.
The baffling reason behind it was the fact that it was a decision reached upon from the council of elders in the county, who felt the leaders have either not done enough in terms of delivery, or simply the need to have other clans taste leadership.
Should this be the way to go? In Garissa County for example, there are divided opinions on the suitability of top leaders with locals lamenting about the current crop of leaders.
Governor Nathif Jama has been dogged with controversies and court cases in his tenure as the county chief.
A good example is when Jama arraigned in court on charges of abuse of office and irregular leasing of ambulances from the Kenya Red Cross.
In another incident, early this month, members of the Public Investment committee, Accounting and Finance Committee stormed the county treasury's offices demanding for the immediate readmission of the County executive Committee boss for Finance, Ahmed Aden, who had been sacked by Jama.
Another key figure in the name of Majority Leader Aden Duale has always received praise and condemnation in equal measure, with others not agreeing with his abrasive nature, while others really support him based on his delivery.
Generally, Garissa as a county should borrow a leaf from Mandera, in that the community, more especially the council of elders have a say in the kind of leaders they want to front in an election.
This will also ensure there is balance in terms of leadership, so that we don’t have other clans feeling marginalized and feeling left out.
It also helps the locals/voters to change rogue leaders who have not been working for the five years they have been in their leadership roles.