Clan politics and the influence of major coalitions will likely determine the outcome of the Marsabit governor contest.

Azimio-One Kenya alliance and Kenya Kwanza have both fielded candidates in the crowded race laced with clan arithmetic.

United Democratic Movement (UDM) and United Party for Independent Alliance (UPIA) of Azimio are emerging to be popular in the region edging out Jubilee and Orange Democratic Movement.

United Democratic Alliance and Amani National Congress have also emerged as favourites among candidates of Kenya Kwanza.

The county is dominated by the Borana ethnic group followed by Gabbra and Rendile.

Other major groups, whose votes cannot be ignored are Burji, Dassanech, El Molo, Garre, Samburu, Sakuye, Turkana, and Waata.

There are also very few Nilotic Turkana and Bantu Ameru residents.

There is an unwritten understanding among the three major clans that the governor’s seat should be filled by either the Borana, Rendille or Gabra.

However, the Gabra clan has continued to dwarf other communities by producing prominent leaders like Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.

An alliance of Rendile, Gabra, and Burji, a relatively wealthy community fronted Yatani in 2013 to vie for governor.

In the 2017 General Election, a combination of Borana, Burji, and Rendile that was fronted by former National Hospital and Insurance Fund chair Mohamud Mohamed Ali of Jubilee trounced the Yatani led-group. This year, at least six candidates have expressed interest to unseat Governor Muhamud Ali alias Abshiro, who will defend his seat on the UDM ticket.

Governor Ali has been endorsed by the Borana Council of Elders albeit with controversy.

A splinter group dubbed the 71st Borana Gada Council under Aba Gadhaa Kura Jarso has formally nominated Prof Wario Guyo Wako as the governor candidate from the Borana community. Guyo will vie on the Jubilee party ticket.

Political power

Baliti Borana Council of Elders has also settled on former Agriculture and Food Authority Director-General Kello Harsama to vie for the same seat.

Governor Ali has asked his competitors from Borana community to shelve their ambitions and support his bid for the second term in office.

 “While it is their democratic right to vie for any seat, it is utterly important for the trio to seriously re-consider their intentions for the unity of purpose,” the governor said.

Harsama has laughed at claims of being “a spoiler” of the Borana community, saying his desire to run for governorship, is not to get political power, accumulate wealth or build big houses, or be praised by anyone, he intends to uplift the lives of residents of Marsabit.

“I want to uplift the lives of youths and women but also bring meaningful development, to ensure there is medicine in hospitals and have piped water in our households,” said Harsama, who will be vying on UDA.

Prof Wario, a former don at Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture and Technology, said Governor Ali should not call for consensus among Borana candidates but instead step down for him as he is the people’s choice.

“I may not like focusing on the Borana community. What I like to focus on very much is anyone who can make peace because the county is not for Borana only, it is not only multi-ethnic, we have 14 cosmopolitan tribes and the role every one of us plays is very important for the common good,” he told People Daily in an interview.

The pinnacle of our community Abagda, (King) who is our spiritual leader Kula Jarso  who resides in Ethiopia blessed me as the sole Borana gubernatorial candidate in a public ceremony,” he added

On Friday, UPIA Party associated with  Yatani unveiled former Torbi/Bubisa Ward Rep Pius Yatani Wario as their flagbearer.