Keynan, Boray vow to work together after burying hatchet

Eldas MP Dr Adan Keynan and his long-time Political nemesis Ahmed Boray on Friday buried the hatchet and decided to work together.

Keynan and Boray both hail from the Degodia clan. They also come from the Djibrail sub-clan that is predominantly found in Eldas(Wajir), Banisa and Mandera North of Mandera County

The two have engaged in years of political supremacy in the constituency as they battled to outdo each other.

The duo again faced off for the seat in last year's elections, with Dr Keynan running on a Jubilee ticket trouncing his opponent of ODM, a decision he contested in court. His win was however upheld.

In a move described as ‘historic’ and which caught many by surprise, the two said that they had decided to put their differences aside in the interest of the community.

The decision by the two leaders to bury the hatchet and work together has been highly welcomed by members of the community.

Sultan Rashid Abdille said the collaborative strategy by the two will promote the community’s unity fabric.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel where the meeting was held, the sultan of the Djibrail community Mzee Rashid Abdille said that the ‘Handshake’ was a result of months and weeks of negotiations between the elders and the two leaders.

"I am standing here a very happy man and elder of the community for obvious reasons. Uniting the two has not been a walk in the park. It has taken the elders a lot of sacrifices as we all burnt the midnight oil. Thank God it finally happened,” he said.

Sultan Abdille who was flanked by several, local leaders and constituents said that there was strength in unity reiterating the fact that squabbles and politics of hatred were only serving to derail development.

“This is indeed historic by all standards. The unity pact marks yet another breakthrough in the long struggle to align the Jibrail nation under one umbrella, which comes with a numerical advantage to the community,’ he said.

Dr. Keynan who doubles up as the Jubilee party vice chairperson described the truce as a greater cornerstone that establishes a decorated foundation for the community's peace and landmark development.

“Thank you, my brother, Hon. Ahmed Boray Arale and the entire leadership of Elda's constituency, for passionately embracing this progressive and collaborative action that strives to create all-round development opportunities for our people," he said.

He added:

"In unity, we will set the scores high in redefining our collective ideas and pursue a common path of ensuring that we work for the best interest of the region and our people."

He welcomed the unity pact, which he feels will enhance greater linkages that support peace and development and push for a better future ahead.

On his part Boray while describing the developments as ‘historic’ thanked the elders who were involved in brokering the ‘handshake’ saying that it would spur development among the community.

"Unity among leaders and the community at large is the cornerstone of any development. Without it then as a community, we are doomed,” he said.