Some elected politicians from Mandera county including Senator Billow Kerrow will not be defending their seats in 2017 after a decision from village elders.
On Wednesday Kerrow confirmed that he will comply with the decision made by Garre Council of elders requiring that all seats held by clans be vacated in 2017.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Kerrow said he will not seek any elective position in the forthcoming election so as to allow for a negotiated democracy where all clans will be given a chance to represent the county.
"I totally support the decision of the Council which represents the views of the larger community that has expressly stated its preference for a ‘negotiated democracy’ between its various components in order to enhance internal equity, and unity of the community. Pursuant to this decision, I shall not be seeking any elective post in Mandera county in the coming 2017 election Insha Allah," Kerrow posted.
He also urged his colleagues affected by the directive to also reconsider their ambition for the larger interest of the community.
The Garre Council of elders led by Chairman Maalim Ali Noor said that Governor Ali Roba, Senator Billow Kerrow, Women Rep Fathia Mahbub, five MPs and 18 MCAs will not run for another term in office.
Kerrow becomes the second high-profile politician to respond to the elder's resolution after Governor Ali Roba termed the declaration undemocratic.
The Senator becomes the second politician to respond to the declaration after Governor Ali Roba disagreed with the elders’ decision terming it undemocratic.