The race to succeed Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti has heightened with the entry of former county boss Godana Doyo seeking a comeback.

Other candidates in the high-stakes contest are Nairobi City County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Halakhe Waqo (ODM), Kenneth Turibo Maore (PNU), Hussein Tene (UDA), and little-known Kimaita Machuguma of Safina party.

 Governor Kuti will not defend his seat citing ill-health.

Doyo, the pioneer governor seeks to reclaim the seat he lost to Kuti as an independent candidate while Guyo who has the outgoing county boss’ blessings is flying the Jubilee Party ticket.

Guyo, has teamed up with Jubilee colleagues – incumbent Senator Fatuma Dullo, former Education CAS, woman representative hopeful Mumina Bonaya, and former Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal.

Doyo teamed up with other independent candidates including incumbent Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa, Isiolo North MP Hassan Odha, Isiolo South Jubilee aspirant Mohamed Tupi (Jubilee) and Senate hopeful Nuh Mohamed.

The choice of a running mate will also play a crucial role in the race that is appearing to be a battle of wits.

Guyo has picked James Lowasa, who had initially teamed up with UDA’s Hussein Tene. Guyo, from the minority Sakuye clan is banking on the Turkana’s 11, 000 votes.

He had earlier picked Hudson Kinyua who has since joined the Doyo camp, eyeing the county secretary position should he emerge victorious.

“My first duty once elected is to fully concentrate on the restoration of peace, tranquility, and unification of all tribes living in Isiolo.

“Our greatest strength lies in our diversity, for our county to achieve sustainable development we must be united and embrace change,” Guyo said during an interview with People Daily on Monday.

He has however defended his decision to relocate his base to Isiolo County saying the focus is to change the livelihoods of people who have lacked servant leadership.

“I left Nairobi County which has an allocation of Sh45 billion to vie in Isiolo. My quest is to unite all communities living in Isiolo and once elected, propel Isiolo to greater heights through sustainable development,” he said.

Last week, Doyo’s bid received a major boost following his endorsement by elders from the Samburu community.

“We have resolved to support him for the seat because he has a good agenda for Isiolo County,” Samburu elder Mzee Mintilon Lemeriwas said at the Lenguruma shrine on Tuesday.

The elders also blessed Senator Dullo who is seeking re-election and woman rep aspirant Mumina Bonaya who is making a first stab at the seat currently held by Ms Rehema Jaldesa.

They urged other communities to vote for the three Jubilee candidates in the August 9 elections.

“We ask all of you to unite our people and serve them diligently for improved livelihoods,” Lemeriwas told the aspirants.

Guyo said, if elected governor, his administration, will also focus on youth and women empowerment, tackling the drug menace among the youth, and completing pending projects.

He also promised to prioritize the issuing of title deeds, sinking of boreholes to address water challenges, and improved healthcare services.

Hailing from Isiolo’s largest Borana voting bloc, Doyo’s eyes are on the Somali community vote after settling on Omar Hassan as his running mate.

Riding on his track record, Doyo has asked voters to vote him into office under the mantra “Let’s finish what we started.”

Development track record

Doyo exuded confidence that he will clinch the seat owing to his development track record during his tenure between 2013 and 2017.

“The economy was doing very well during my tenure. I ensured our people had basic needs and focused on improved health services, water, and improved access roads network,” he said while promising to give local contractors work in order to revive the ailing economy.

Waqo has picked 2017 governorship contender Domiciano Maingi, is using the anti-graft political card to sell himself as the right person to fix the ills bedeviling the county.

Having served in various government and non-governmental positions for close to 30 years, he says, he has acquired a wealth of experience and feels he is the right candidate to steer the county to another greater level.

Waqo accused the incumbent and his predecessor of underdevelopment saying the achievements made so far were not commensurate to the billions of shilling disbursed to the county since the inception of devolution in 2013.

“Close to Sh50 billion has been disbursed to the county since 2013 but there’s nothing to show for it,” he said in a recent media interview.

He said he will use his experience at the anti-graft agency to end corruption.

He says if elected he will inject resources into  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and give local contractors work to revive the ailing economy.

Tene, the sole Kenya Kwanza candidate has picked has scholar and politician Nicholas Mugabe as his running mate, promising once elected, to prioritize security.

“I believe that the stability of Isiolo will form the foundation upon which meaningful development can take place. This way, no part of our beloved county will be marginalized or left behind,” said Tene.

Turibo has settled on Ibrahim Mohamed Issack while Machuguma has partnered with Jillo Boru Dima. The battle for the slice of 89,504 votes is concentrated in the most populous Isiolo North constituency with seven wards. Whoever triumphs in Wabera (15,034), Bulapesa (15,125), Burat (13,195), Ngare Mara (5,434) and Kinna (8,885) wards  is likely to be the next governor.