By Boniface Ongeri

The race for Wajir County gubernatorial post took a complicated clan arithmetic after a businessman declared interest.

Mr Mohammed Ali Mursal, a trader specialising in education, transport, and construction said he is best suited to drive the county’s economy.

He joins Abdirahaman Abass, the former project co-ordinator at Arid Lands Resource Development, former Wajir East MP Mohamud Abdi, accountant Ahmed Abdullahi Jiirmaow, Mohammed Omar and Mohammed Elmi, the Minister for Development of Northern Kenya and Arid Lands.

There is a mutual understanding among three major clans that the seat should be filled by the Degodia, who are the majority.

Until recently, it appeared the contest was between the Fai, Rer Mohamud, Masareh and Maow sub-clans of the Degodia clan who were trying a balancing act to determine who would be the governor.

The entry of Mursal from the Gerible sub-clan provides a headache to the council of elders, who were tasked with picking a candidate.

To achieve balance, the elders must factor in the four parliamentary seats. The argument is that no sub-clan will go for the parliamentary seats of Wajir East, Wajir West, Eldas and Tarbaj constituencies when their man is nominated as governor.

Mursal said his interest was held back by the community agreement that barred early campaigns until a council of elders was in place. The council was constituted on Friday; with former TSC Chairman Ibrahim Hussein elected chairman.

 

More declarations

Mursal holds an MBA from United States International University and a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and Extension Services from Egerton University.

In a separate development, the Ajuran clan elders have endorsed Ibrahim Sheikh Mohammud and Dr Ali Abdullahi for the Wajir West and Wajir North parliamentary seats.

The decision was reached during a clan caucus where the 40-member consultative council nominated the candidates.

Mohamud, a businessman in Uganda, was prevailed upon by the elders to be the sole candidate for the Wajir West seat from the Ajuran clan. He was picked from among five candidates who had expressed interest.

Dr Ali was endorsed after Wajir North MP Mohammed Gabow set sights on the Marsabit County senate post.

The council is chaired by Ahmed Sheikh Abdullahi Yarre. It is the second time it has a reached the decision after they endorsed Adan Omar Enow for the senator’s seat in a secret ballot vote supervised by religious leaders.

The council said they will explain to voters why they reached the decision adding the three have the best interest of the community.

Elders said they would be meeting to deliberate on who to support for governorship.

“There are reports in Wajir that we supported a certain candidate but we will announce soon after deliberations. We will support someone who will factor the Ajuran in his development agenda,” Yarre said.

Mohamud, a development studies specialist, said he would concentrate on improving development.