- Yatani has insisted that leaders from ASAL must put aside their differences and work together to unite the region.
- However, his bid ran into headwinds after a section of leaders from the region disowned the initiative.
Image: courtesy
A split has emerged in the leadership of Northeastern Kenya as National Treasury CS Ukur Yatani pushes to unite politicians from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
Yatani has insisted that leaders from ASAL must put aside their differences and work together to unite the region against conflict, drought, economic marginalisation and political divisions.
He said ASAL leaders should learn from past mistakes and “chart a brave and brighter future for the region which remains Kenya’s most promising”.
“We note with concern that despite ASAL areas constituting a vast land mass with a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and culturally diverse population, has suffered from political and socio-economic marginalisation over the years without a unified voice, and only being regarded as a ‘swing vote’ region,” he said.
Yatani spoke in Naivasha where leaders from Garissa, Isiolo, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir had converged to further reflect together on the future of ASAL.
Even as the CS pushed for unity, his bid ran into headwinds after a section of leaders from the region disowned the initiative.
Governors Ali Roba (Mandera) and Mohamud Ali (Marsabit) led a section of elected leaders in faulting the CS for what they termed as “a non-consultative approach in making decisions for the region.”
Roba said Yatani should stop pointing fingers at them that they are in Tanga Tanga or Kieleweke.
“Yatani cannot herd us without consulting us. If you believe we are important please engage us. Do not send us brokers. Anybody seeking presidential votes is free and open for consultations. My party of today is Jubilee and my party tomorrow is one in which we will have a stake and a voice,” he said.
Ali claimed some people pushing for the unity of the region are being used to undermine the leadership of ASAL.
“Marsabit county is bleeding...I have been pushed enough. We will not go to hotels to discuss our fate and our people. Do to Marsabit what has been done to Laikipia by providing sufficient security,” he said.
Roba and Ali were speaking at Somare primary school in Moyaole Marsabit county during a funds drive for Somare Women Group.
MPs Wario Qalicha Gufu (Moyale), Kullow Hassan (Banissa) Rehema Jaldesa (Isiolo Women Rep) Marsabit Senator Godana Hargura and his Mandera counterpart Mahmoud Mohamed attended the fundraiser.
Jaldesa said they are waiting for Roba to show them the political direction after consultations.
At the Naivasha meeting, Yatani declared that the UPYA Movement will be the political platform at the national level speaking on behalf of ASAL communities.
“As an umbrella political platform, UPYA supports the revitalisation of two or three political parties in the region to guarantee the right of the people to participate in the 2022 General Election,” he said.
Upya Movement was unveiled on September 3 to champion the interests of ASAL ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Yatani said UPYA Movement will unite residents from ASAL areas to articulate a common political position and objectives for the 2022 elections, and more specifically negotiate for greater socio-economic investment and development in the region.
He said they intend to make UPYA Movement a coalition vehicle by establishing functional governance structures from the national to the grassroots across the region.
“UPYA movement will be a grassroots-oriented and participatory movement which listens to the region’s residents and affords them the opportunity to articulate their views in order to formulate strategies aimed at narrowing ASAL area’s development gap,” said the CS.
Last week, UPYA Movement leaders urged their respective communities to rally behind President Uhuru Kenyatta, ODM leader Raila Odinga and One Kenya Alliance principals.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan revealed that leaders from the region will be supporting politicians who are in the President's camp.
Other UPYA Movement leaders include Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, Samburu West MP Naisula Lessuda and Samburu Women Rep Maison Leshomo.
-Edited by SKanyara