Mandera Governor Ali Roba and Mandera South Mp Mohamed Adan Huka (left) when he met residents during a tour of the county to assess the drought situation. Six Mps who were blocked from defending their seats through a model of rotational leadership between the clans have declared that they will defy the directive and vie in 2017. [PHOTO: ALLAN MUNGAI/STANDARD]

Six Mandera MPs have vowed to defy a directive by their clan elders blocking them from the 2017 General Election.

The resolution by the Garre Council of Elders in August this year introduced a model of rotational leadership that blocks sub-clans within the community from holding one political seat for more than a single term.

This will bolster the position of Governor Ali Roba in the leadership row pitting him against the elders.

Roba has expressed his frustration with the model of rotational leadership and vowed to defy it.

MPs Mohamud Mohammed (Mandera West), Mohammed Haji (Banisa), Aden Mohamed Noor (Mandera North) and Mohamed Adan Huka (Mandera South) have today supported Roba and asked the electorate in the region not to abide by the elders' ruling.

Of the six, only Mohamud had been given the go-ahead to run for the senatorial seat to replace Senator Billow Kerrow, who has promised to abide by the elders' resolution.

The MPs have launched a campaign to mobilise the electorate in the county to rebel against the elders' directive.

Among those directed not to vie in the 2017 polls are Roba, Senator Kerrow, five MPs and 18 county assembly members.

The leaders opposed to the elders' decision will on Wednesday be joined by MPs from Mandera East Abdiaziz Farah and Shaaban Ali (Lafey) as they traverse the county to drum up support for their decision.