The Marsabit woman representative has broken her silence over her recent handshake with the area governor after a series of public attacks from a section of politicians.
Speaking in Saku, Naomi Jillo attributed her action to mend fences with the governor after he sent emissaries not only to her but to other leaders as well to lay the groundwork for a good working relationship.
The county woman MP said she gladly accepted the clarion call out of her own will and to steer the county towards a meaningful development trajectory despite coming from different political camps.
“I wonder why some politicians and elders are reading too much into our handshake. For the avoidance of doubt, his call was to read from the same script with all leaders, share development ideas, jointly lure investors into the county, show unity and steer the county into the right direction”
She also refuted allegations of backstabbing her colleagues from United Democratic Party (UDP) in the county after agreeing to iron out political issues amicably with the county boss.
“Yes it is true during the campaigns we traded serious barbs based on our different political stands but that is now water under the bridge. Between 2017 and 2022 we had terrible tribal clashes that brought our county to its knees – we overcame it and frankly speaking, personally, I will not allow our political differences to derail our development agenda, therefore I also call upon other leaders to join us for a positive cause”
The soft spoken woman MP equally challenged social media users and community elders against being used by politicians to trade insults and attacks on leaders with divergent opinions on pertinent issues.
“I don’t regret my decision for the handshake. And for the record, I’ve never declared my interest for the 2027 gubernatorial seat as alleged because I am barely one year in office – I have forgiven them regardless and focus on my roles and responsibilities” Naomi stated.
During the 2022 general elections, the county produced top leadership from the United Democratic Movement (UDM), the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Kenya African National Union (KANU) and The UPIA Party that led them to different paths.
Notably, Saku Member of Parliament Dido Ali Rasso and the area senator M.S Chute – all from the UDA Party, have been the biggest critics of the county, with attempts to reconcile them falling flat.
The duo have been putting the governor on his toes over the county’s management and financial prudence under his stewardship, terming the county a “den of graft and looting,” sentiments vehemently rubbished by the county.
The leaders accused Naomi of being self-fish while at the same time questioning her ability to make hard decisions for a serious cause like corruption and poor governance.
Speaking to Citizen Digital, The county spokesperson, Alexander Barille Abduba, welcomed Naomi’s decision, terming it a show of political maturity and honest leadership.
“It is only honest and mature leaders like her who risk their political careers to take such action. Let others learn from her decision and embrace the idea of ceasing political wars”
Barille also took issue with a section of the county politicians and ‘professionals-cum-keyboard worriers and agents of fake news’ challenging them to use existing channels to address genuine concerns.
He added, ‘ the governor is not above the law, if a clique of our leaders spots any irregularities or red flags, they ought to raise it with relevant authorities for investigations and actions, but not subject the governor to personal opinions or prosecuting him in the bias eyes of public court”
Locals Halima Jillo and Ali Guyo gave Hon. Naomi a pat on the back for the ‘wise’ decision she made and firmly defending it.
“She is the only leader to brave her political ego and go public with the handshake decision in our county and we commend her”
They have also suggested a joint meet-the-people tour of all elected leaders to champion more development under devolved units.
