Mandera MCAs lead protests to demand removal of county commissioner Alex Nkoyo

Residents of Mandera Town during demonstrations on March 20, 2015. They want Mandera County Commissioner Alex ole Nkoyo to be removed, and are accusing him of laxity in the county's security matters. PHOTO | MANASE OTSIALO | NATION MEDIA GROUP.

What you need to know:

  • MCAs said Mr Nkoyo has been unable to tackle the issue of insecurity, which has left many people dead in the county since last year.
  • Zahra Rashid (nominated MCA) said the women of Mandera are worried for their security as things seem to have fallen apart.
  • Attempts by the Nation to contact Mr Nkoyo were fruitless as he could not be reached and his office remained under police guard.

Several members of the Mandera County Assembly on Friday led peaceful demonstrations demanding the removal of Mandera County Commissioner Alex ole Nkoyo.

The ward representatives said Mr Nkoyo has been unable to tackle the issue of insecurity, which has left many people dead in the county since last year.

They said the county commissioner was responsible for the deteriorating security situation since he was posted to the county last year.

“We are joining our governor in condemning the deeds of Mr Alex ole Nkoyo as the chairman of the county security committee and we shall keep on demonstrating until he is removed from Mandera,” said Mandera Township MCA Feisal Abdinoor.

Mr Abdinoor accused the commissioner of misadvising Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery over the recent attacks in county, including one in which Governor Ali Roba’s convoy was attacked on March 13, leaving four people dead.

Another attack two days later in Mandera Town left one person dead and three others with gunshot wounds.

“The county commissioner has told Mr Nkaissery that there are no terror attacks in Mandera when people are being killed and we are asking who is behind this if it’s not the terrorists,” the MCA said.

ACCUSED OF LAXITY

The governor has also accused the commissioner of laxity and locking out the county government on security matters.

“What Mr Nkaissery said about the attacks in the county was false and it’s because he was misadvised by the county commissioner whom we want to go and we shall be joined by the governor and senator on Monday to throw him out of office if he does not leave peacefully,” said Mr Abdinoor.

Other ward representatives who participated in the protest were Mr Ali Madey (Ashabito), Mr Mohamed Abdi (Elwak central), Mr Barre Shure (Kiliweri) and nominated member Zahra Rashid.

“We are humbly asking the central government to take the county commissioner out of Mandera and send us someone who is ready to cooperate with our leadership for the good of everyone here,” said Mr Abdi.

Ms Rashid said the women of Mandera are worried about their security as things seem to have fallen apart.

“As women we are not happy with how the county commissioner is carrying out his duties and we want someone who shall listen to the women and secure the county without taking tribal sides,” said Mrs Rashid.

Attempts by the Nation to contact Mr Nkoyo were fruitless as he could not be reached. His office remained under police guard, with Mandera County police commander Job Boronjo saying it was a constitutional right for the public to picket.

“We are only providing security to the demonstrators so that we can deal with any eventuality that might arise in the process. They have a right to hold peaceful demonstrations about anybody and anything if they feel unsatisfied with the service delivery,” said Mr Boronjo