Korane distances self from chaotic elevation of Bothai subcounty

Garissa Governor Ali Korane has defended himself against blame for the fiasco witnessed during the elevation of Bothai subcounty on Tuesday.

The elevation of the administrative unit unexpectedly  turned chaotic as local leaders accused Korane of influencing  the decision that was not attended by top government officials and county administrators.

Initial plans were that Agriculture CS Peter Munya would grace the occasion. He however cancelled the trip at the last minute. No explanation was given for the cancellation.

Munya was to be accompanied by North Eastern regional commissioner James Kianda and county commissioner Boaz Cherotich among other top leaders.

The plaque that was unveiled at the ceremony had Munya’s name as the one who would open the administration offices.

The ceremony, which was slated for 8am, ended up starting at midday, after it emerged that Munya was a no show.

A visibly angry Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor  blamed Korane for being behind the fiasco that saw CS Munya and top administrators stay away.

“Unfortunately the governor decided to stoop too low by politicising such a big function for our people,"Noor said.

"He is the one who called the CS and told him not to come claiming that there was a security threat,”she said.

"He has sensed defeat(in August 9 general election) and has realised that he won't get any votes from this community,"she said.

"So he  has resorted to making sure that we remain behind.Unfortunately as a community we have nothing to show for under his administration.”

Senator Abdul Haji went labelled  Korane as the community’s  number one enemy saying that going forward they will not work with him.

On Thursday, Korane in a hard hitting statement that he posted on his social media  account  described the accusations as unsubstantiated.

He said they were designed to mislead the residents of Garissa to deceptively gain political mileage and are completely false and treacherous.

“My attention has been drawn to spurious and reckless allegations against me by some Garissa politicians, making the rounds online and on social media," Korane said.

"The politicians alleged that I 'cancelled' the Bodhai subcounty inauguration ceremony that was to be presided over by  Munya and Kianda on 15th March 2022,"he said.

"They further alleged that I recruited and had a commanding influence in the operations of National Police Reservists. That I ran a clan militia,"he said.

"The say I was involved in the land racketeering menace and in many other laughable vices bedevilling our county. ”

According to Korane, he received a brief from the regional commissioner's  office informing him  that the event was postponed following a reported terror attack in the region.

The governor said it is not within his purview to cancel or influence the cancellation of national government events.

He said  that he does he  have the mandate and powers to recruit NPRs.

“I wish to inform the politicians, who have apparently sensed the political heat emanating from my campaign tours to their respective constituencies, I won't be distracted by their antics,"Korane said

" I will visit every part  of Garissa  during and after this campaign period.”

(Edited by Francis Wadegu)