Borana elders warn Marsabit leaders against unnecessary utterances

Borana Council of Elders has called upon Marsabit senator Mohamed Chute and Saku MP Dido Ali Raso to shun the war of words and join Governor Mohamud Ali in service delivery to residents.

Led by Boru Godana, the elders while speaking at a hotel in Marsabit on Saturday said the county boss deserves respect as he delivers on his mandate.

"We do not want premature campaigns in the county since the next generation election is still far away," said elders.

They warned politicians against fanning hatred saying the tribal clashes witnessed in the county previously must be avoided at all cost.

Community elder Ali Wario asked the Saku legislator that he was wrong to link the Governor to graft saying it was not his mandate to do so as relevant authorities exist for that purpose.

"MP Raso is neither an auditor nor an accountant in the county to claim that funds have been embezzled. His work is to pass laws and oversight the national government," Wario said.

He at the same time trashed remarks by the Saku MP who claimed that he was the force behind Governor Mohamud's political success.

"I kindly ask the Saku MP to shun away from Public utterances that may stabilise service delivery. Political attacks are not good for the development of our county," he said

Saku elder Gurach Galgallo said the sustained political differences are unhealthy for socioeconomic development.

"It's unfortunate that those in the forefront are respectable individuals who should have focused on the county's unity and not allow their personal ambitions to ruin the county," he said

Guracha reminded the two leaders that even though democracy offers free speech, it does not give them room for unnecessary utterances capable of undermining the county boss.

Community elder Godana Halakhe dismissed claims that Governor Mohamud's administration has done less in terms of development.

He termed the claims as political schemes seeking to hound the governor out of office.

He called upon all leaders from the county to join the governor in his plan to leave a legacy in his second and final term in office.

According to Roba Halakhe and Community elder Wako Qalicha, the governor is being targeted by his political nemesis for his humble and transformative style of leadership.

They denied claims that the governor had embezzled funds.

"We know Governor Mohamud Ali as a polite man and who is God fearing. He has brought light to Marsabit county and we want him to be given humble time in office," said Roba.

"The ongoing construction of dams and drilling of boreholes help improve the social life of the residents. We want such projects to continue," he said

Qalicha on his part said, "leaders must put aside their selfish interest and work together for the sake of unity and development".

He lauded the governor's efforts in the education sector, saying that thousands of students were in school courtesy of the scholarship and make their dream a reality.

"I appeal to all our leaders to support the governor in his final term as he wants to leave a legacy. He has the credentials and the pedigree but he can only do it and succeed with your support," another community elder Wario Halakhe said.

Wario said many of the projects initiated by the governor would cushion residents from hard economic times and enhance development and socioeconomic development of the county.

The Borana Council of Elders called on county assembly members to continue working closely with Governor Mohamud-led administration for devolution to work.