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Banissa residents decry lack of representation in National Assembly

Residents of Banissa Constituency in Mandera County. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

By Adan Mohamed | Saturday, March 9, 2024

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif echoed the concerns of the residents, highlighting their struggles and unmet needs.

Residents of Banissa Constituency in Mandera County have expressed concern over their lack of representation in the National Assembly, urging the government to take action on the issue of representation.

The Banissa Constituency MP seat has remained vacant since the passing of Kullow Mohamed, the area's Member of Parliament, in March last year.

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The locals voiced their dissatisfaction with the allocation of funds from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), citing the lack of support for essential needs such as school bursaries and maintenance for school buildings in the constituency.

Speaking on behalf of the residents, Abdi Bare emphasised that there is no legal vacuum in the office of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

"We urge the president to hasten the recruitment of the IEBC commissioners so that residents of Banissa can benefit from the CDF office," emphasised Abdi Barre.

He further urged the government to address the longstanding issue of representation to alleviate the suffering of the people of Banissa.

Delayed recruitment

IEBC CEO Marjan Marjan in October last year said they would not be able to conduct elections for Banissa Member of Parliament owing to the delayed recruitment of new commissioners.

Marjan urged Parliament and the selection panel constituted to fill the vacancies to play their part to avert the continuation of a constitutional crisis.

This follows the retirement of former chairman Wafula Chebukati and ex-commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Mulu last January after serving their six-year non-renewal terms.

The other four commissioners Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Justus Nyang’aya and Irene Masit were pushed out after a falling out over last year's presidential elections.

Residents of Banissa welcome Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif during a tour of the area. (Photo: Adan Mohamed)

Mandera Governor Mohamed Khalif echoed the concerns of the residents, highlighting their struggles and unmet needs.

He appealed to the government to expedite the constitution of the IEBC to ensure that the people of Banissa are adequately represented.

“I call upon the Speaker of the national assembly to first track the amendment to the IEBC act so that the elections can be done “Governor Mohamed added

He said the urgency of addressing representation issues is crucial for the well-being and development of the constituency.