Mandera Leaders In Kenya Threaten To Quit Jubilee Over Census Row
Saved under Corruption, EASTERN AFRICA, Human Rights, Kenya, Land and Rural Development, Legal Affairs, Media, News, Politics
Tags: Mandera
Please follow & like us :)
Mandera politicians in the Jubilee coalition have threatened to quit the alliance if the government does not withdraw a court case over the 2009 census.
Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations in Mandera Town, the politicians led by Governor Ali Roba, termed the national government’s move to appeal against a High Court ruling in 2013 as an insult to the county.
Nominated MP Osman Aden, who is also the United Democratic Front (UDF) national chairman claimed that a change in population data would affect the county’s fund allocations.
“We are fully aware of the Jubilee plan to reduce our devolution share through appealing a court case on the 2009 national census.
“We are telling the President if the ruling achieves this interest, then we are out of government,” said Mr Aden.
He said Mandera leaders moved to court in 2010 after the census results underestimated the population, but after winning the case, the government appealed the ruling with the intention of reducing devolution funds.
“People have politicised this issue because Mandera is getting a good amount.
“It is very shocking to see the government taking its own people to court,” Mr Aden said.
DATA WAS ACCURATE
In support, Senator Billow Kerow said the census was done during the day hence its data was accurate.
“The allocation (Sh9 billion) they gave us is a drop in the ocean.
“We have been marginalised for 50 years yet when we are allocated funds to improve livelihoods, the president complains, “said Mr Kerow.
“We don’t get funds from anywhere except the devolution funds which are not enough for the county.
“If the funds are reduced, we shall all walk out of Jubilee because we can’t accept to be used for someone’s political gains,” he said.
READY TO EXIT JUBILEE
Governor Roba said they are ready to exit Jubilee if President Kenyatta fails to ask the Attorney-General to withdraw the appeal before Friday.
“It is the most ugly scene for a sitting President to appeal against a case that has been won by the public, particularly in a matter involving resources,” said Mr Roba.
He added that any decision to reduce funds will halt daily business in Mandera.
In February 2012, then Minister for Planning Wycliffe Oparanya tabled a revised post census figures in Parliament showing that the 2009 population count was inflated by one million people.
He nullified the Mandera figures arguing that the Statistics Act gave him powers to do so.
However, Mandera leaders moved to court and won the case but the government appealed.
The post-census revision of statistics disclosed unscientific population growths in Turkana Central, Wajir and Mandera.
