More than 300 Mandera politicians and opinion leaders in Nairobi have backed Governor Ali Roba’s re-election saying he has steered development.
The leaders declared they will rally residents to vote for Roba in the 2017 poll, during their meeting at the CID school on Sunday.
They said they will defy a decision by clan elders to bar all elected leaders in the county from contesting in the general election.
The Garre Council of Elders opted for “negotiated democracy” to avoid disputes among clans and sub-clans, and promote equity.
The meeting resolved that all serving leaders should quit before the polls, and a new group fronted through an agreed formula for sharing political seats.
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But the leaders who met in Nairobi opposed the elders' plan saying candidates should be selected on merit.
"Leaders must be elected on the basis of their development records, not the views of clan elders," said businessman Kassim Ibrahim.
Kassim said Roba has ensured water supply, revived the health sector and built roads.
Only 10 health facilities were operational in Mandera when Roba was elected governor in 2013.
More than 40 facilities had been closed due to a myriad of challenges including insecurity, and lack of personnel and medical supplies.
Social worker Saadia Ali Noor said Roba restored peace between rival clans through equitable distribution of resources.
Noor
said residents gained access to health services after Roba revived operations in all derelict facilities
"Majority of women gave birth at home because there were no hospitals and traditional birth attendants did not have the skills to help them," she said.
She noted they now deliver in hospitals and that the number of deaths resulting from pregnancy complications has declined.
Noor added:
"I formed a group of social workers to mobilise and sensitise women to deliver in hospitals. We called on Roba and he came. We have the votes, will and the right to express ourselves. We will vote back Roba."
Retired Colonel Noor Musa said the elders’ decision served individual interests and will be objected by the community.
"People will vote back Roba because they want development and have the right to vote for whoever they want," he said,
"The decision by the elders goes against the spirit of the constitution and democratic rights of the residents."