A section of Mandera residents participated in a public forum to air views on the plan by the National Assembly to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [Ibrahim Adan Ali, Standard]
Arfon Dahir who is a member of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Mandera chapter said it was unfortunate that Gachagua had chosen to lean towards 'the mountain' while sidelining the other part of the country.
"The deputy president who ought to be a pillar of national unity has publicly shown exceptional support for his community in the mountains making him unfit to lead the country in the right direction," said agitated Dahir.
Her sentiments were echoed by Osman Rakhiso, an elder who faulted Gachagua for obstructing developmental programs in the North Eastern region, with Mandera County being particularly affected.
"The DP has on several occasions stood against appointments of our Somali professionals from securing state jobs hindering development in NE counties", said Rakhiso.
Residents urged leaders from the Northeastern region to continue supporting the impeachment process at the parliamentary level.
The public forums are expected to continue today at the constituency level across the country following a directive from the National Assembly Clerk.
"Further to the public participation exercise which commenced on October 2, and the collection of views on October 4, all 290 constituency offices and the 47 county women representative offices, under the Parliamentary Service Commission, will remain open on Saturday, October 5, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to facilitate further public input on the Special Motion," the Clerk announced.