Issack Malela: I am in the race for interest of Banisa Constituents
Former Jubilee candidate for Guba Ward Issack Malela Ali recently joined the race for Banisa by-election to battle preferred successor Barre Maalim of United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He spoke to our Senior Correspondent Nimah Abdi about his candidature, plans and aspirations for the people of Banisa Constituency.
Questions for Banisa MP Candidate Malela on Friday, 12 May 2023 with Nimah Abdi.
Q. Thank you for your time Mr. Issack Malela.
You have confirmed your candidacy in a media communication. Just for the record, Is it true that you are vying for the Banisa by- election?
A. Thank you Mrs. Abdi, Yes, I have declared my candidature on 5th May through my official Facebook account. I’m in the race.
Q. Why are you vying for the position which has since been declared vacant by the Speaker of the National Assembly? You were a close contender in the race to Guba Ward. Why Banisa now?
A. That is a good question Mrs. Abdi, as you know I’m not new in this field of politics, I contested for member of county assembly for Guba ward which comes under Banisa. I believe I’m the best qualified candidate for the seat. Being a youthful politician, i understand the need of the people of Banisa since 70% of the population are youth.
Q. There is a lot ahead of you if you successfully win the seat. Climate change is affecting people in Northern Kenya and in Banisa. What specifically would you do to ensure that Banisa is able to respond quickly and effectively to recurring natural disasters?
A. Climate change and climate variability has greatly affected northern Kenya, the first thing that i will do if elected is to create awareness of the climate change itself. The people need to know the reality of the climate change first so that they will be more cautious of the environment, I will also encourage the people to do a paradigm shift from the pastoralism way of life to farming, planting more trees in-line with the President Ruto’s directive of planting 15billion trees in the next 10years among others.
Q. On Health and Preventable deaths of children under 5 which have nearly been significantly reduced, how are preparing to enhance that yet the budgets for maternal and child health programs in parliament could be targeted for cuts in the appropriations process. Do you support these programs, and if so, how will you ensure funding continues to be a priority?
A: That is an important question Mrs. Abdi. Mandera County has been among leading areas that accounted for over 60% of maternal deaths in Kenya. Since the advent of the new constitution, the county has played a huge role in combating the menace and made some progress.
Through parliament, as a legislator if elected as a member of parliament, I will intend to table a bill that will allow more allocation of funds to save lives. At least 108,735 children in Mandera below five years face health challenges, according to statistics including those in my constituencies.
I plan to partner with Ministry of Health which is obligated by the law to adresss this matters on innovative ways to ensure the number of deaths of children under the age of five years is reduced.
I suggest we accommodate low cost interventions for protection, prevention and treatment of diseases. Statistics Unfortunately indicate that 70 per cent of these deaths are attributed to preventable and treatable childhood illnesses.
In parliament, As you your representative I will work on Transforming Health Systems including the 2021-2025 Newborn and Child Health Strategic Plan that seeks to identify the gaps and increase investment for ending neonatal and maternal mortality in Kenya.
Q. Have you commenced your campaign? If not Why? Yes, I have already declared my candidacy. My candidacy is people driven and it has started way before I officially declared
A. We have seen candidates stepping down on behalf of the the brother of the deceased. Is it the test of negotiated democracy. How are you prepared to combat that obstacle from the elders?
I’m aware of such plans, negotiated democracy is not a new phenomenon to nothern Kenya, I have been tried before when I first contested for the position of MCA and it wasn’t successful. I know how to face such obstacles and overcome them, and i believe this one is not an exceptional. Rest assured I will be on the ballot.
Q. What is your parting shot to the 30k voters in Banisa?
A. I want to tell the good people of Banisa constituency that i will be coming and unveil the raft of programs that i have for them. The medium is not enough for me to summarize but I’m confident that if given chance I have what it takes to transform Banisa constituency and provide an absolute representation.