Mandera leaders abandon Jubilee for Economic Freedom Party

**Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow PHOTO:COURTESY**

Jubilee Party has suffered a huge setback after a section of Mandera leaders abandoned it for a new political vehicle ahead of the August polls.

Senator Billow Kerrow, MPs Mohamed Huka (Mandera South), Fathia Mahbub (Woman Representative), nominated MP Hassan Osman, Deputy Governor Omar Mohammed Maalim and a host of local leaders yesterday unveiled Economic Freedom Party (EFP) in a well-attended rally held at Geneva Grounds in Mandera Town.

The new outfit has the blessings of the Mandera Council of Elders, which last year declared that all the 24 elected leaders are not eligible for re-election in the August 8 General Election.

The new development is set to frame the battle for the county leadership to be between those for and against negotiated democracy.

The council of elders has identified former Rift Valley Commissioner Hassan Noor Hassan to run against Governor Ali Roba, who has vowed to defend his seat against the wishes of the powerful council.

The council has also picked Abass Maalim Hajir as Mr Noor's running mate, while the current Deputy Governor Maalim has been nominated to run for Mandera East MP position.

MP Osman has also been nominated to run for the Senate seat.

All the leaders were elected on Deputy President William Ruto's now defunct United Republican Party (URP).

"We elected Jubilee in 2013 but from today we are launching our party and will not afford to be in Jubilee anymore. We have started our own vehicle," said Kerrow.

"EFP is neither in Jubilee nor NASA. It is a party for the people and by the people of Mandera," explained Kerrow.

The council two weeks ago visited President Uhuru Kenyatta at State House where they demanded that the nominees be given direct tickets by Jubilee.

Uhuru reportedly rejected the demand, forcing the leaders to start their own party.

According to the council, allowing their nominees to be subjected to a competitive nomination process with individuals they have rejected would have undermined the authority of the elders.

The leaders further declared that they are yet to decide on the presidential candidate they will support.

The leaders roundly accused Governor Ali Roba of financial misappropriation and vowed to send him home come August polls.

The Senator urged the county MCAs to shoot down 2017/18 budget, claiming the governor was planning to plunder it in the campaigns.

"Don't pass 2017/18 budget because the money will go to pockets of individuals," added Kerrow.

While accusing Mr Roba of running down the county, Mr Noor pledged to make devolution work, assuring resources in all the sub-counties.

"We have decided to form our party and join EFP. Let us be ready to rescue our county from famine, hunger and poor leadership.

We have not seen any development through devolution in our county and this is the time to make things work by voting the current government out," he said.

The leaders said they will not engage Jubilee anymore, citing the dusk to dawn curfew in the area over insecurity. They urged President Uhuru Kenyatta reverse the orders since it was denying the people opportunity to engage in economic activities.

Ms Mahbub asked the locals to elect leaders on the new party from top to bottom, saying the current county leadership had failed to deliver to the people.

"Today we have our own party and we want to remove those in power come the elections. We want to have a uniform from top to bottom," she said.

Apart from Governor Roba, MPs Mohamed Abdi Haji (Banissa) and Aden Mohamed Noor (ManJubilee Party has suffered a huge setback after a section of Mandera leaders abandoned it for a new political vehicle ahead of the August polls.