The power struggle in Wajir County appears to be headed for a long haul after the ousted governor Mohamud Abdi and the current governor Ahmed Mukhtar both appeared at a meeting called by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i at the Kenya School of Government.
Former Governor Mohamud had to leave the meeting after organizers called police to intervene.
Confusion started during introduction time with both the ousted County Chief Mohamed Abdi and Governor Ahmed Ali Muktar stood up and introduced themselves as the county bosses of Wajir County.
Those who witnessed the events unfolding say the embarrassing incident caused a bit of a star which led to the ejection from the meeting of Mohamed Abdi.
Police had to be called in to remove the former governor forcefully, but instead he chose to leave the meeting peacefully.
“Rumours out there is that there is one COJ he is trying to install and that won’t happen definitely because there us a governor in office and a county can’t have two governors at a go,” said Ahemed Muhktar, Governor Wajir County
Earlier when guests including other governors were arriving, Governor Mukhtar protested to the organizers and ushers that his seat had been occupied illegally.
Mahmoud had arrived early and took his seat.
“He is an elderly guy and a respected person who has been in power for quite some time. He was an MP and ambassador and held different positions in government. But you know when he’s ejected and is truly was our former governor, I have still the respect for him. But when he misbehaves and that should actually happen to everybody, he should be disciplined,” said Ahemed Muhktar, Governor Wajir County.
The two leaders have continued to have squabbles concerning their leadership roles with Mukhtar asserting that he was sworn in legally in May after the former Governor Mohamud Abdi was impeached.
Mahmoud, however, went to court and obtained stay orders until a case he has filed in court to overturn the Senate’s decision to oust him is heard.
Mohamud also attended yesterday’s meeting of Council of Governors, which was held at a Nairobi Hotel where the chairman of the COG Martin Wambora was delivering his speech on the annual achievements in all the 47 counties.
“Yesterday’s meeting was just to see off the former CEO of the council of governors. So all friends and the family and relatives and the you know governors were attending so that one I have no problem.
