Mandera differs with CoG stand on counties shutdown

Mandera Governor Ali Roba has distanced himself from the order by the Council of Governors (CoG) to shut down counties, saying his administration is ready to stretch itself by offering services until such a time when they are unable to do so.

Mr Roba warned that shutting down services in the far flung county will jeopardise many lives in Mandera.

“While we identify ourselves with the extreme financial situation within the counties and the crippling impact of lack of funds, we will not be able to comply, hence our operations will continue until such a time the situation dictates by itself total shut down,” he said in a statement.

Mr Roba said he will continue partnering with commercial banks which are supporting the county through overdrafts to pay staff salaries.

He called on the county employees to continue offering services in their respective work stations.

Unique circumstances

According to the governor, no staff, whether essential or non-essential is expected to be absent from duty without permission.

He said Mandera’s decision not to comply with the CoG’s resolution is due to the county’s unique circumstances which are very different from counties which have close proximity to better private health facilities.

“If we shut down our hospitals, we will lose many lives. The best health service provision is from our own health facilities,” he said.

Mr Roba accused Mr Oparanya of failing to adequately engage with the Senate on the revenue sharing formula.

“The Council of Governors chair contributed immensely to this impasse on revenue sharing by failing to do adequate engagement with the Senate and by taking sides,” said Mr Roba.

The governor further rejected a call by the CoG for counties not to advertise with the Nation Media Group (NMG) publications, arguing that the county will continue advertising with the media house.

Just a day after the Council of Governors resolved to partially shut down counties in protest over the delay by the Senate to adopt the third generation formula, Mr Roba said his administration will not shut down any services.

“No, we are not about to shut down. All our staff are on duty fully and they will continue offering services to our needy people,” Mr Roba said in a statement.

“We are hurting due to cash crisis but we are and will stretch ourselves, offering services until such a time that we are unable to proceed.”

Last week, the council resolved to stop advertising with NMG platforms, accusing the Nation of highlighting stories on corruption in the counties as part of a smear campaign, a move that attracted criticism from several quarters.

Governors arrests

The council made the resolution after a story by the Daily Nation on the impending arrests of governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Alex Tolgos (Elgeyo-Marakwet), Ali Korane (Garissa), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a) on accusations of abuse of office and corruption.

The council warned that any other media house that carries stories portraying governors in a negative light will also be blacklisted, a move widely seen as an attempt to stifle press freedom.

But Governor Roba maintained that the county will advertise with NMG contrary to the CoG orders.

“We will advertise with Standard Group, Radio Africa, Royal Media Services and Media Max among other local FM stations,” he said.

He also opposed the war the council has launched on the Senate over the delay in enacting the revenue formula.

“Mandera shall honour all summons and co-operate with the House to find ways of bettering devolution,” he said, adding that the current Senate is much better than the previous one.