The stage is set for a titanic battle for the Mandera governorship race.

It will be a contest pitting Azimio-One Kenya coalition affiliate parties against Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA)

The Jubilee Party, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and United Democratic Movement (UDM) all allied to Raila Odinga’s Azimio-One Kenya coalition have each fielded a candidate.

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee has picked former East African Community Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed, while Raila’s picked ex-Education Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Hassan Noor Hassan.

Governor Ali Ibrahim Roba, who is serving the second and final term has endorsed Mandera County Speaker Mohamed Adan Khalif, who will be contesting on UDM party.

Deputy President William Ruto’s UDA has fronted Noor Ali Adan alias Rubisha.

Governor Roba has come under sharp criticism from some residents and politicians who have accused him of attempting to succeed himself by endorsing Khalif.

Disrespect

Roba has also been accused of using his UDM party to sow seeds of discord and perpetual disrespect to the once powerful Garre elders’ council.

In 2017, Roba defied the defunct Garre Council of Elders not to defend his seat and back the elders’ choice Hassan Noor Hassan, who was then elders’ choice.

However, Roba defending his seat on a Jubilee Party ticket trounced Hassan, a former provincial administrator, who was running on  Economic Freedom Party (EFP).

Governor Roba will contest as senator while a Nominated member of the County Assembly Umulkheir Kassim Omar Mohamed is seeking to be elected county Woman Rep.

“The voice of the people is the voice of God. The people of Mandera have spoken. UDM is the only recognised political vehicle,” he recently said as he introduced his team during Azimio rally in Mandera town.

“Our lineup is not just made of politicians but peacemakers and people who have community interests at heart,” Khalif said.

All inclusive

If elected, Khalif has promised to form an all-inclusive government whose hallmarks will be service delivery, maintaining peace and cohesion in the county as well as equitable distribution of resources.

“I am confident we shall provide clean water for all, quality education for our children and quality healthcare services for all residents,” he said, adding that no one will be denied service or development based on ethnicity or political affiliation under my his administration.

However, Issa Haji Abdullahi, a political analyst has dismissed Roba’s line-up saying that Mandera residents want “a man who is driven by desire to change the county”.

“…. Not a project meant to protect the status quo nor the power-hungry bold-headed bigot,” he said, adding: “We must fight cartels and entrepreneurs, we must defeat brokers in the name of elders too…”

Adan Mohamed alias Jari, who is seeking a first stab at politics has asked voters to reject Governor Roba and his project Khalif on the ballot saying for the last 10 years, the county has received billions of shillings from the national government but there is very little to show for it.

Consequently, he reckons that the true spirit of devolution which was to cascade services to the grassroots has never been realised.

“I took it upon myself to come back to Mandera and vie for the governorship to give my experience and expertise gathered over the years in both the public and private sectors,” Jari said.

He has asked voters to vote for him and his running mate Abey Dahir arap alongside Ibrahim Mohamed alias Chulu, who is vying for a senatorial seat and ex-women representative Fathia Mahbub, who is seeking to reclaim the seat she lost in 2017.

Infrastructure

Jari reckons his manifesto is built on five main pillars; economic empowerment, social services, land, housing and urban development as well as infrastructure, energy and environment management transparency, integrity and good governance.

According to him, service delivery will be his priority for his  administration “while the needs of wananchi will be central to every decision we make.”

“Enhancing public participation and encouraging community ownership of projects are the main drivers of economic and social development and my administration will take keen interest in forging that,” he said. If elected, the ex-CS has also pledged to set aside bursaries amounting to Sh500 million annually.

Hassan Noor Hassan, a former provincial administrator has pledged to create a productive, prosperous and secure county administration that adds value to the local community.

Speaking during his manifesto launch last weekend, Hassan said to develop Mandera, he will intensify his engagement with all stakeholders.

He also pledged to seal all corruption loopholes that have had a fair share of court cases, all corruption-related.

“I undertake to stand by the principles of participatory development and accountability towards a united and prosperous county,” he said.

He pledged to adhere to the law on public participation as a cornerstone in designing, planning, prioritizing and implementing development projects.