Nomadic communities in new political alliance

Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali (centre), who is the patron of Tana River, Isiolo, Marsabit forum, dances with Garsen MP Ali Wario (left) and other leaders during a fundraiser at Oda village in Tana River County. [Nehemiah Okwembah, Standard]

Leaders from three nomadic counties of coast and northern Kenya have joined forces to form an alliance.

They say they will use the alliance to negotiate political power ahead of the 2022 General Election.

The 18 elected leaders from Tana River, Isiolo and Marsabit counties consisting of the Oromo speaking tribes met at Oda village in Tana Delta Sub-county on Sunday to drum up support for their new-found political alliance.

Dubbed TIM (Tana River, Isiolo and Marsabit), the group under the patron of Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali and chaired by Saku MP Dado Raso, also threw their weight behind the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and called for strengthening of devolved units.

Mr Raso said the leaders - senators, MPs, governors, women representatives and members of county assemblies - will also lead the Borana, Orma, Rendile, Wardei and Watta communities to chart one political path for the greater benefit of the communities.

“The Jubilee government which we overwhelmingly voted for has shortchanged residents of our three counties in terms of sharing the national cake and we only have two of our own in the Cabinet, that is Ukur Yatani, who is the Cabinet Secretary for Labour, and Chief Administrative Secretary for Devolution Hussein Dado,” he said. 

Raso warned any community member who will go against the spirit and principles of TIM of unspecified political and social consequences.

“It is because of our disunity that we were shortchanged unlike the Somali-speaking counties of Mandera, Garissa and Wajir, who got many of their members employed. But it is a lesson to us so that come 2022, we will also have numbers to enable us negotiate with the next government,” he added. 

The leaders, led by Governor Ali and Mr Dado also included Marsabit Senator Hargura Godana, Marsabit Woman Representative Sofia Sheikh Adan, her Isiolo counterpart Rehema Jaldesa, Hassan Hulufo Odha of Isiolo North constituency, Tana River Senator Juma Wario, Bura MP Ali Wario and Raso were hosted by Garsen MP Ali Wario Guyo where they also raised funds for local women groups.

Drought-stricken

Mr Ali said the aim of uniting as TIM was to address challenges facing the three counties, which are located in drought-stricken areas. 

"Previously, we used to be appointed to positions like PSs and ambassadors, but now we have not been given such positions and that is why we have come together so that in 2022, we shall be in the next government," he said.

Mr Wario (Bura MP) said their unity would help them push for a common agenda of development.

At the same time, Ms Adan said their division as a community had made them  lag behind in development and called on parents to invest in the education of their children.

Elective posts

Also present was Marsabit Senator Abubakar Godhana, who said apart from pushing for their stake in government, they will also ensure the communities agree on candidates who will champion for elective posts.

He said previously they have suffered as a community for fielding many candidates for one position.

The union, if successful, will see them unanimously support a presidential candidate or a coalition that will form the government and have their stake for voting as a bloc.