By Billow Kerrow

You will be sworn in as Mandera Governor, on 25th August 2022 insha Allah. My Naseeha (advice) to YOU:-

1. You were elected by 53,486 voters, out of the total registered voters of 217,030 which represents 24% of the voters. The two runners-up got a combined 81,000 votes. A further 83,000 did not vote. Meaning, over 75% of the voters did not elect you as their Governor. BUT by taking oath, you are still their Governor!

2. Consequently, you are the Governor for all residents of Mandera, NOT only those who voted for you. That’s the Constitutional oath you take: “to do justice to all…without fear, favour, affection or ill-will”. Everyone in the county should enjoy equal rights before you as their Governor.

3. You should not be beholden to your clan/region/party because they voted for you; and do not accept that it is “their turn to eat”.

4. Deal with corruption decisively. It has deprived residents of Mandera of their future. Sadly, after spending nearly USD $1 billion received past 10 years, thirst, hunger, poverty, illiteracy and poor health services is their lot.

5. Be accountable to your electorates, directly to them, or indirectly through their County Assembly (CA). The culture of bribing the CA members to do as the Governor wishes must end.

6. Misplaced priorities, often led by tenderepreneurs, should not be a trademark of your administration.

7. Remember, you have no debt to pay. You won the election with the help of Allah only. This responsibility is an Amanah & you will be held accountable by Allah.

8. You should live in Mandera amongst your electorates to appreciate their problems. Do not run the county from Nairobi!

9. Do not abuse your power to enrich yourself at the expense of your electorates.

10. Remember Imam Ali bin Abi Talib(RA) counsel to his Governor of Egypt, Malik Al Ashtar – Excerpts:

 “ Fear Allah, be just to Allah and do justice towards the people, as against yourself, your relatives, and those of your subjects for whom you have a liking (supporters), because if you do not do so, you will be oppressive”.

 “Men will scrutinise your actions with a searching eye …keep your desires under control and deny yourself that which you have been prohibited…do not appropriate to yourself that which belongs to them..”

 “Develop in your heart the feeling of love for your people and let it be the source of kindliness and blessing to them.

 “Do not set yourself against God, for neither do you possess the strength to shield yourself against His displeasure, nor can you place yourself outside the pale of His mercy and forgiveness

 “Maintain justice in administration and impose it on your own self and seek the consent of the people

 “Remember the privileged few will not rally round you in moments of difficulty: they will try to side-track justice, they will ask for more than what they deserve and will show no gratitude for favors done to them.

 “Do not take counsel of the greedy too: for he will instill greed in you and turn you into a tyrant. So, never let men who have been companions of tyrants or shared their crimes be your counselors.

 “Keep close to you the upright, and the God fearing; In making direct appointments from people, select those who enjoy the reputation of being honest

 “Beware! Fear God when dealing with the problem of the poor who have none to patronize, who are forlorn, indigent and helpless and are greatly torn in mind – victims of the vicissitudes of time. safeguard their rights; for on you rests the responsibility of protection. Select from among your officers such men as are meek and God fearing who can keep you properly informed of the condition of the poor

 “Never for any length of time keep yourself aloof from the people. If you are just, then you will not keep yourself away from the people, but will listen to them and meet their requirements. On the other hand, it you are unjust, the people themselves will keep way from you.

 “Make this clear to yourself that those immediately about and around you will like to exploit their position to covet what belongs to others and commit acts of injustice. Suppress such a tendency in them. Make a rule of your conduct never to give even a small piece of land to any of your relations.

 “It is imperative on you to study carefully the principles which have inspired just and good rulers who have gone before you. Give close thought to the example of our prophet (peace be upon him), his traditions , and the commandments of the Book of God.

May Allah make it easy for you.

Billow A Kerrow – The writer is the first Senator of Mandera County.