By Issack Malela
On 8 August 2022, during the last general election, leaders across Mandera County, from the Governor to the Members of the County Assembly, stood on podiums and promised unity, peace, and development. They pledged to put aside clan divisions and serve all residents equally. Yet, with less than two years until the next election, we find ourselves betrayed and disillusioned.
Instead of delivering on their promises, many of these leaders have failed their people. They have resorted to exploiting the suffering, bloodshed, and insecurity in our region for political gain. What we are witnessing is not only a failure of leadership: it is a dangerous trend of using tragedy for political advantage.
I do not make this accusation lightly. While I cannot say with certainty that any leader is orchestrating the ongoing violence, their silence, delayed responses, and suspiciously timed political visits after each attack suggest complicity. As Ugaas Mohamed Abdishakur courageously pointed out, the pattern is too consistent to ignore.
Ordinary citizens increasingly believe that our leaders either know more than they admit or their continued inaction reveals a shocking lack of sincerity. Either way, they are failing the people they swore to protect.
Let me be clear: Mandera’s leaders must uphold their humanity. They must stop deceiving the public with empty rhetoric and symbolic tears. Either fulfil the pledges made during the 2022 campaign or step aside to let local communities rebuild the harmony that once defined our region. The people of Mandera need unity far more than empty slogans and manipulated crises.
In Banisa Constituency, our situation is even direr. For nearly two years, we have lacked representation in Parliament following the untimely death of our beloved MP (May his soul rest in peace). This leadership vacuum has left our voices unheard, our issues unaddressed, and our people marginalised.
To Mandera’s Members of Parliament, I make a humble but urgent plea: approve the recently appointed IEBC Chairman and Commissioners, nominated by President William Ruto. This will pave the way for Banisa to elect its representative and restore our people’s constitutional right to national representation.
Let us remember: our faith emphasises the necessity of leadership, if two people travelling together need a leader, how much more does an entire constituency?
We must speak plainly about security. The people of Mandera have lost trust in words. Every attack, every massacre, every senseless killing is followed by promises of action, yet nothing changes, and trust has eroded completely.
I call on the Mandera County Security Team and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, particularly Officer Boss Amiin, to act swiftly and decisively. Bring to justice those responsible for the recent Banisa massacre, where six innocent lives, including children, were brutally taken. Justice must be seen to be done.
To our security forces: you are now the last line of hope. Do not fail the people as their elected leaders have.
The time for posturing is over. The time for action is now. Our people deserve peace, justice, and trustworthy leadership, not exploitation, silence, and fear.
