Ex-Senator Billow Kerrow slams Mandera Governor for moving Jamhuri Day celebrations to Elwak amid worsening drought
Billow said the county's priorities were misplaced, accusing the leadership of planning an expensive ceremonial extravaganza at a time when thousands of residents are facing severe water and food shortages.
Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow has sharply criticised the decision by Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan Khalif and his administration to relocate this year's Jamhuri Day celebrations from Mandera town to Elwak, terming the move wasteful and insensitive amid the biting drought.
In a strongly worded statement, Billow said the county's priorities were misplaced, accusing the leadership of planning an expensive ceremonial extravaganza at a time when thousands of residents are facing severe water and food shortages.
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"My comments on Mandera County Jamhuri Day celebrations being moved to Elwak are not politics. It's a bad deal. The timing is bad in the middle of the drought. It's not a priority," he explained.
He warned that moving the event would incur massive logistical and financial costs as hundreds of personnel and county teams would have to be ferried to Elwak.
"They will transport parade officers, police band, National Government officials, County officials, enforcement teams, school choirs, traditional teams, leaders, and elders — hundreds of people," he noted.
"Then tents, chairs, carpets, fuel for government vehicles, transport hire, accommodation, meals, allowances... it will run into tens of millions of shillings."
Billow questioned why the county would splurge on celebrations while acknowledging it lacked adequate resources to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Last week, the county government announced it had only 10 water bowsers for over 300 sites in dire need of water and appealed for help to hire 40 additional trucks.
"The people of Elwak need food, not shows," Billow said. "Cancel this arrangement. It is a waste of resources, and it is insensitive."
The former legislator urged the county to redirect the expected expenditure to emergency drought interventions, warning that residents in rural Mandera face worsening conditions as water points dry up and livestock losses increase.
He further criticised what he termed a misguided attempt by the county administration to mimic national government practices by decentralising national celebrations.
"In the midst of severe drought, when such money should have been used to help residents, the county government feels that if the national government has done it, it should do so. Hold the celebrations in other towns. A dumb move," he said.
He urged Governor Mohamed and County Commissioner Amos Mariba to abandon the plan immediately.
Governor Mohamed's administration has yet to respond to the criticism.
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