All political leaders eying the Mandera gubernatorial seat in the much-awaited 2022 General Election will have to part KSh 1 million, Mandera elders have declared.
According to the chairman of the council of elders in the jurisdiction, Abdullahi Haji Abdi, besides the KSh1 million, the aspirants will have to submit a cover letter explaining why they think they are suitable to lead the county.
Speaking to journalists in Nairobi on Thursday, September 2, Abdi said the cash will help in the process of vetting and scrutinizing the applicants.
“We need the process so that we get the best candidates for the position. This is done to confirm that the candidates have all the qualifications as required by the electoral laws and the Constitution,” Abdi said.
He further said the move will help each of the 21 clans enjoy the gubernatorial seat as no person from any clan will hold the seat for two consecutive terms.
This is despite the fact that the Constitution of Kenya 2010 allows all governors to rule for two terms of five years each.
Other than the governor, the President is also entitled to two terms of five years each translating to 10 years, provided the win re-election.
With barely 10 months to the General Election, the elders said they have already received four applicants and that they will be meeting in October 2021 where they will vet and the names that will be on the ballot come 2022.
Mandera governor Ali Roba has however defied the directive move after serving for two consecutive terms having been re-elected in the 2017 General Election, a move that caused animosity among the elders and the community at large.
