The Isiolo gubernatorial contest is shaping up to be a two-horse race between former county boss Godana Doyo and Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi  Hassan alias Guyo.

Governor Mohamed Kuti will not be defending his seat citing ill-health. Doyo, who served as pioneer governor, is up against Guyo in the fight for the county’s 89,504 votes.

Doyo is seeking to reclaim the seat he lost to Kuti as an Independent while Guyo, who has Kuti’s blessings, is flying the Jubilee Party ticket.

Although the race has attracted four other hopefuls, Doyo and Guyo are regarded as front-runners in the high-stakes contest.

Also in the race are former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Halakhe Waqo (ODM), Kenneth Maore (Party of National Unity), Hussein Tene (United Democratic Alliance) and little-known Kimaita Machuguma of Safina party.

Guyo has teamed up with his Jubilee colleagues—Senator Fatuma Dullo, former Education Chief Administrative Secretary and Woman Rep hopeful Mumina Bonaya and former Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal—in his campaigns.

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

Choice of a running-mate is expected to play a crucial role in the race. Guyo picked James Lowasa, who had initially teamed up with Tene. Guyo, who is 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. Kinyua is eyeing the County Secretary job should they emerge victorious. “My first duty once elected is to concentrate on the restoration of peace and unity of all tribes in Isiolo,” Guyo said.

Sustainable development

He has also defended his decision to relocate his base to Isiolo,  saying his focus is to change the livelihoods of the 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 and once elected I will propel the county 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,” Mzee Mintilon Lemeriwas said at the Lenguruma Shrine on Tuesday.

Elders also blessed Senator Dullo, who is seeking re-election and Woman Rep aspirant Mumina Bonaya, who is making her first stab at the seat currently held by Rehema Jaldesa. 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 us finish what we started”

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 road network,” he said.

Waqo has picked 2017 governorship contender Domiciano Maingi as his deputy. 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.

Tene, who has picked scholar and politician Nicholas Mugabe as his running mate, promised to prioritise security once elected.

Turibo has settled on Ibrahim Mohamed Issack while Machuguma has partnered with Jillo Boru Dima.