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Custom Adv 1 You are here: Home LET'S SPREAD PEACE, LOVE AND UNITY. GOVERNOR ROBA TELLS BANISA RESIDENTS. Breaking news Written by Saturday, 28 February 2015 09:07 font size	 decrease font size   increase font size Rate this item1 2 3 4 5 (0 votes) Putting aside the current education crisis facing his county of mandera, Governor Ali Roba led high delegates of  county officials to far end of  Banisa sub-county. As he brave the rough terrain of the vast county, its evident that Governor Roba  is a man on a mission;  to enhance  Cohesion and Intergration in what was once a fragile co-existence between  the warring clans.

The youthful Governor had difficulties in his formative years in office over insecurity. Clan clashes and spate of terror attacks had  turned promising county into an epicenter of violence. The memory of these ugly incidences seems to be behind the Governor for now, as the County now enjoys relative peace that once eluded it.

However Governor Roba did not sat back and watch it. He took personal initiave to strengthen unity, which  he says  is a cornerstone for development. For a man whom friends and foes describe him as over ambitious with burning desire to lead, he seems to be in a  hurry to save his people who wallows in miasma of economic sufferings.

Upon landing in Banisa town, that doubles up as sub-county and constituency headquarter, Governor Roba presided over  football match, dubbed  ‘Football For Peace’. It was the first ever match organized by the county government, in collaboration with The National Drought Management Authority(NDMA). The gesture by Roba administration seems to give peace and unity a different dimension. Initially on matters of peace only elderly male were involved, a sort of somali culture where old men were trusted with lobbying of peace deal. The fact youths were involved speaks volume on governors strategy to cement the current stride achieved in peace front. Even though he was part of consultations  and negotiations lobbied severally, it was his first time to be engaged  in peace talk in banisa sub-county. Senior official at the govenors’ office intimated that, the Govenor entirely left security matters to the national goverment and clan elders, lest he will be accused of biasness by one side or another.

The widely applaud football match that pit the two teams, Mandera North and Banisa was organized by the County Government. The most intriguing part of it was, the teams comprises of young and talented boys from the two warring clans some who lost their parents and relatives in the previous deadly inter-clan clashes. The event of the past clashes are behind them now and they are enjoying peace and tranquility in Mandera. This was evident from happiness on their  faces. Anyone will dispute that, these youngsters hail from the warirng clans that butchered each other and  treated kenyans to  antithetical and bizarre killings, depicting political waywardness or insensibility. The mood at the Banisa primary playground was electrifying, and  the images of burning houses and families mourning the loss of  their loved one’s that flashes across kenyan televisions  seems  distant reality, in its place was warm, love and brotherhood. Governor was in the friendly crowd enjoying the developments. Perhaps he was telling himself, this is a new year, new page, I must deliver, won’t let these trusting souls down!. Indeed it is difficult to convey in print media the altmosphere at Banisa town.

It was these developments that laid ground for largely successfull stakeholders meetings held at Banisa community social hall. Coincidentally the hall was officially opened by his excellency Governor Roba. It became perfect ground for engagements. Highly respected elders from  the two clans were in atttendance. How to sustain and solidify the current gains in peace was disccused at length.Both side gave best opinions on the way forward. A common ground was established.

Among the issues raised are opening up roads in formerly volatile areas, waterpoints to be shared and returning of IDPS to their homes. However the Governor emphasized that ,areas where there are suspicions, to be put on hold on for now. He also ordered the County ward administrators and other county employees in the affected areas to report to their duty stations to enhance service delivery. Establishments of police or administration police post at volatile areas that borders Ethiopia, though its the mandate of the National goverment.

Governor Roba confirmed of his willingness to provide enough facilitation. The Governor also indicated that the matter of border is an issue of the National Government and expressed confident that it wll be resolved by the National government amicably. In unison both clans agreed new settlements  by both clan was a receipt for clashes and suscipions, as it had political implications. Governor categorically stated that new settlement should be stopped. He was of views that, it is not only bases for suspicions and future clashes but  stretch manpower and government resources. He added that, public should not interprate his sentiment as an opposition to new settlements and developments. Restrictions are only for volatile areas. The area member of parliament Hon. Mohamed Abdow  supported governor’s line  of thinking.

The most significant strides was the presence of elders from bordering areas of Ethiopia. Elders that represent both the Garreh and degodia  clan were present, giving more weight to the mission. Formation of a joint peace committee to sensitize communities on issues of  cohesion, integration, tolerance and peaceful co-existence among the clans was fronted by the Governor. He assured the residents that he takes initiaves on the same and the joint committee will soon be in place. Roba who was in jovial mood while adressing crowd promised the public that he will build county of self reliance, development and communal responsibilities that propell mandera forward. ’’ Your role is to help me achieve this, by maintaining peace and unity we have for nearly five months now’’. Governor asked the locals to appreciate the gains Mandera had made in two years he was in office and continue with peaceful co-existence. ’’Let us not marginalize ourselves, we were marginalized enough by the successive Government. Marginalization was a major blow to us. Even if we take marathon style in developments, the gap is still wide. Unity, peace and patience willl help us close it’’.

On resource sharing, Governor Roba said his county is all inclusive and urged all clans to benefit adding that its their rights. He jokingly told the gathering that elections is far and that their political decisions is their right but they should engage the Government of the day for developments only.

’When time comes, you give your votes to whom you want, whatever happen then is God will and plan. Its time we work’. Said the smiling Governor.

Social commentators argued that, the decision by the Governor to cement peace and unity even when normalcy has returned, point to the fact that the Governor is well prepared to deal with  resources based tensions especially during drought situation. ‘‘ We want to avoid clashes incase drought bites and resource become scarce’’. Said Mohamed Adan, County Chief officer for Public service, Conflict management,  Cohesion and Integration.

Considering the location of peace dialogue, Banisa sub-county, the argument was right and well thought. Banisa sub county is mainly for pastoralists as compared to Mandera north that is largely suitable for farming.

Governor Roba informed members that, since this was his first time in peace dialogue, he expect and hope that his presence will create trust, confidence, induce co-operation and produce positive attitude that creates better atmosphere for peaceful settlements and durable peace is achieved.

He urged them not to let him down. Whether his wishes will be realized and the peace dialogue will solidify the gains made so far, is something remain to be seen.

GINA SC
A resident of Mandera has moved to the Anti-Corruption Court seeking orders to compel the DPP to probe Governor Ali Roba over alleged misuse of funds.

Simba Hasheem wants the court to admit a charge sheet that has been drawn against the Governor, Ibrahim Hassan, Alinoor Mohamed Ali and Okash Abdulahi Adan.

Hasheem said he wrote a letter to DPP Noordin Haji over alleged misuse of Sh56 million but no action has been taken so far.

Hasheem has issued a 30-days notice intention to move the court for private prosecution.

Roba and the three county officials were granted two weeks by senior principal magistrate Lawrence Mugambi to respond to the application.

“I have written to the Director of Public Prosecutions which correspondence was a reminder to previous communication and a 30 days’ notice of intention to move the court for private prosecution,” Hasheem said.

The applicant said the DPP has not commenced or taken up the matter, nor has he made communication of any progress if at all hence the relicense on the part of the office of the DPP is unreasonable and culpable.

“The Auditor General's report for the year 2013 -2014 was published online for public review and analysis,” Hasheem said.

He claims the DPP has failed to respond to the allegations and the applicant sent a notice dated December 6, 2018, for intended private prosecution proceeding through the counsel.

Read: 'Christian' Murkomen faces KOT wrath after saying 'I fight with brains'

Hasheem had appeared before anti-corruption chief magistrate Douglas Ogoti on January 14, 2019, and was directed to serve the respondents with the court papers ahead of the hearing.

He said his complaints stemmed from the Auditor General’s report for the 2013-14 financial year, which he said contained “grave breaches of law” by various county offices.

“This court has jurisdiction to hear and determine this matter for the administration of justice and in order to avoid interference, intimidation of the hindrance by the respondents,” reads part of the application by lawyer Mutuma Meja.

Among the issues Hasheem will raise is the alleged procurement of armoured vehicles at a cost of Sh16 million, which he claims was done unprocedurally, and the provision of ambulance services to Kenya Red Cross Society at a cost of Sh40 million. BR seven moyale news (talk) 17:39, 11 February 2019 (UTC)