Clan in a meeting to decide next Isiolo governor

ISIOLO, KENYA: Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo’s clan has held a meeting to deliberate on whether he should directly be endorsed to seek re-election or undergo internal nomination with his rivals.

The Warjida clan that brings together Jida and Maliyu sub-clans met at the clan’s shrine at Kinna in Garba-Tula District for three days.

Apart from Mr Doyo, the meeting was also attended by clan mates who are eyeing his seat on the allegation that he had failed to provide good leadership in his first term that ends in August 2017.

The rest of the opponents stepped down but Hussein Golicha, a Nairobi based businessman who operates in East and Central Africa called on the more than 200 elders to conduct an internal nomination to decide who should be their flag-bearer.

During the largely peaceful meeting, elders present were clan president Jattani Wako, Secretary General of Jima Mohammed Duba and others drawn from all-over the County.

However, differences emerged on Wednesday when two rival sides issued different statements in Isiolo town regarding the decision that was made in Kinna.

The Governor, Mr Duba claimed he had been endorsed to seek re-election on the basis of his ‘excellent development record’.

The statement was released through his Press Officer Hussein Salesa.

During the occasion, Doyo enumerated his development record and why he deserves to vie again without going through internal nomination.

'' I have achieved on some of the promises that I pledged in 2013 and I will take Isiolo County to another level,'' he said.

But a prominent elder Adan Ali, who is also the Isiolo County Assembly Majority Leader dismissed that version saying the elders had not endorsed anyone.

‘‘No one has been endorsed. We talked about unity of the clan and agreed to have a big meeting in Kinna in August to make that decision (who to endorse),’’ said Mr Ali.

Ali, who is also Kinna MCA was also backed by key elders who included Muhamud Shufigi, Diba Kiyana, Lowa Sama and Halake Kini. 

The elders revealed that the nomination would be decided through an Electoral College system that brings together 25 revered elders.

On Thursday, Mr Golicha (Kanu) appealed to the elders to conduct a free and fair nomination arguing that the clan should pick a strong candidate to ward-off stiff opposition provided by rival Karayu clan.

‘‘My brother is facing stiff competition and the clan should make a wise decision during the August summit,’’ he said.

The nominee will face Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) chairman Abdul Bahari who was endorsed by his clan last December in Merti.