Mohamed Roba receives major endorsement for his Isiolo gubernatorial bid
By Sylvia Wakhisi, May 31, 2026Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto has received the backing of the influential Karaiyu clan to contest the county’s gubernatorial seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
The endorsement was announced during a meeting held in Isiolo Town on Saturday, May 30, 2026, bringing together clan elders, political leaders, professionals, youth representatives, women leaders and supporters from across the county.
Karaiyu clan chairman and former Isiolo North MP Charfana Guyo Mokku said the decision followed months of consultations and deliberations among elders and community leaders.
According to Mokku, five individuals from the clan had initially expressed interest in contesting for the county’s top seat.
However, after a rigorous selection process, the elders unanimously agreed that Roba was the most suitable candidate to fly the clan’s flag in the 2027 gubernatorial race.
“We have spent considerable time consulting among ourselves and evaluating all the potential candidates. After thorough deliberations, the elders agreed that Mohamed Roba Qoto is the best person to represent the interests of the Karaiyu clan and the wider Borana community in the upcoming election,” Mokku said.
How the elders settled on Roba
He revealed that the clan’s elders committee recently held a three-day meeting in Meru County, where they discussed the matter extensively before reaching a consensus. The committee’s recommendations were later presented to the broader clan leadership, which endorsed the decision.
Mokku further noted that the endorsement marks only the first stage of a broader political process. He said the Borana Council of Elders (BCE) is expected to engage leaders and elders from other Borana sub-clans to seek a common position ahead of the 2027 elections.
“If the other Borana sub-clans agree with our proposal, Mohamed Roba Qoto will become the sole candidate endorsed by the entire Borana community in Isiolo County,” he added.
In his acceptance speech, Roba expressed gratitude to the Karaiyu clan for the confidence they had shown in him. He pledged to work with all communities in Isiolo and promised inclusive leadership if elected governor.
Roba’s relationship with Governor Guyo
Roba also addressed his political relationship with the current Isiolo Governor, Abdi Ibrahim Guyo. He said he had supported Governor Guyo’s election but later differed with him after what he described as a departure from agreements made during the campaign period.
Among his key pledges was ensuring that critical county government offices, including the county treasury, operate from Isiolo Town rather than from Nairobi or other locations outside the county.
“County resources must benefit the people of Isiolo. Public funds should be managed transparently and used to improve the lives of residents through better services and development projects,” he said.
The Karaiyu clan is widely regarded as one of the largest and most influential clans within the Borana community in Isiolo County. Political observers believe its endorsement could significantly shape the county’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 General Election begin to gather momentum.