The power struggle in Wajir County continues to intensify as impeached Governor Mohamud Abdi insists he is the bonafide officeholder despite the swearing-in of his former Deputy Muktar Ali as the county boss.
Their standoff took an ugly turn on Tuesday after the two attended a meeting presided over the Interior CS Fred Matiang’i where they all introduced themselves as Governor of the North-Eastern County.
Sources privy to the incident told local television that the two brought CS Matiang’I meeting to a standstill as both stood their ground as Wajir Governor.
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The organizers of the meeting were forced to seek police help to have the impeached Governor Abdi kicked out of the meeting forcefully but he decided to walk out of the meeting peacefully.
According to sources, the impeached governor is said to have arrived earlier at the meeting and occupied the seat of Wajir governor.
Governor Muktar who came later found his designated seat occupied and he is said to have protested the move to the organizers of the meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Governor Muktar accused the Council of Governors (CoG) of trying to forcefully install impeached Abdi into office despite him occupying the office.
“Rumours out there is that there is someone CoG wants to forcefully install as Wajir Governor. But that will not happen because there is an officeholder currently and a county cannot have two governors in office,” he told the press.
Governor Muktar insisted that the former county chief should be discipline for forcing his way back to the office adding that he has crossed the red line.
“He is an elderly guy. I respect the person who has been in power for quite some time. He was an MP, ambassador and elders saw different positions in government. But when he ejected and he is truly our former governor, I have respect for him but when he misbehaves, he should be disciplined,” he added.
Impeached Abdi has been embroiled in a power squabble with Governor Muktar who insists he was legally sworn into office in May after the former’s impeachment was endorsed by the Senate Assembly.
Abdi went to court where he obtained stay orders until the case he filed in court is heard and determined.
The impeached county boss has been attending CoGs meetings.
CoG in a press conference in pay condemned the immediate swearing-in of Governor Mukatr before the case filed by Abdi is heard and determined.
The council expressed solidarity with the impeached boss and has been inviting him to CoG meetings.
