Mandera's Billow Kerrow bows out of politics after 15 years

Outgoing Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow has quit politics saying it is "an appropriate time to re-evaluate and move on". Kerrow announced this on Facebook on Sunday when he noted he will not vie for any other elective post. "I did not vie for any elective post in the last general election and I do not intend to do so in future," he said.

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO @stephen astariko

News18 January 2019 - 02:57

A file photo of Billow Kerrow who served as Mandera Senator.

Outgoing Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow has quit politics saying it is "an appropriate time to re-evaluate and move on".

Kerrow announced this on Facebook on Sunday when he noted he will not vie for any other elective post.

"I did not vie for any elective post in the last general election and I do not intend to do so in future," he said.

The politician has been active since 2002

when he was elected

Mandera East MP seat.

He lost the seat in 2007 to

Abdikadir Mohamed who is

President Uhuru Kenyatta's adviser on constitutional law.

Kerrow

contested the Senator seat in 2013

under

DP William Ruto's defunct URP party. Mohamed Maalim of Jubilee Party is the county's new senator.

"I have done my utmost to deliver on the trust and responsibility bestowed on me. Allah will judge me on it and I seek his mercy for my shortcomings," he wrote.

"Leadership is a calling, not a job. It requires sacrifices and patience as one seeks to influence change in society."

Kerrow thanked Mandera residents for the opportunity to serve and said he will embark on interests he did not specify.

The politician, who severely criticised

Governor Ali Roba's administration, said his social media accounts will remain active "but only on social matters".

The two, who were beneficiaries of the infamous negotiated democracy that was advanced by the Garre council of elders, fell out.

Kerrow accused Roba of going against the 2013 agreement which would have seen him serve for only one term.

He accused the incumbent of mismanaging public resources and doing little to uplift residents' living standards.

The outgoing legislator came up with Economic Freedom Party [EFP] with Hassan Noor who was the elders choice for the governor seat.

The party won five out of eight MP seats and 17 of the 30 MCA seats in the August 8 general election.

The party also bagged the woman representative seat while Jubilee won the governor and senator seats.

Kerrow's exit leaves a huge political vacuum in the region since he was in the forefront in defending the Muslim community and advancing their issues.