By Urban Shihemi, December 8, 2025

Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerow has faulted plans to shift this year’s 12 December Jamhuri Day celebrations from the county headquarters to Elwak Town, questioning the financial implications of the move at a time the county is battling a severe drought.

The shift in venue is reportedly set to cost the county millions of shillings. This significant expenditure is being planned even as local leaders, including those within the county administration, have been actively appealing for urgent assistance to alleviate the suffering of more than 2.1 million people in arid and semi arid lands hit hard by the ongoing drought.

The former senator through his X account voiced his dismay, condemning the decision as a "dumb move" and a "misadventure" that is grossly misplaced given the current humanitarian crisis.

"The cost of moving these activities will run into millions of shillings," stated Kerrow. "In the midst of severe drought when such money should have been used to help residents, the county government administration feels if the national government has done it, it should also do so...hold the celebrations in other towns! A dumb move."

The core of the controversy lies in the timing and perceived misplaced priorities. Mandera County is grappling with a severe drought, leaving countless families in desperate need of food, water, and emergency aid. 

The former senator noted that shifting the celebrations traditionally held at the county headquarters will cost taxpayers millions of shillings to facilitate logistics, security, transport and venue preparations.

Kerow called for an immediate halt to the plan, urging both the county government and the County Commissioner’s team to "abandon this misadventure and use these resources to help the suffering residents." He further appealed to the national government to intervene and "not allow it."

Mandera County is among regions in northern Kenya where prolonged dry conditions have left households facing acute water shortages, dwindling pasture and rising food insecurity.