A recent move to endorse one Mohamed Bardad who is eyeing the Mandera North Parliamentary seat by a section of elders from the Jibrael clan is causing jitters amongst members of the community.

Bardad, a businessman, was endorsed by a splinter group which was led by Omar Sheikh on December 4, at a Nairobi hotel.

The endorsement of leaders within the Kenya-Somali community has a great impact as the selected usually end up winning elective posts.

However, in a press release sent to media houses on Thursday, January 6, professionals from the Jibrail clan criticised the endorsement arguing that they were not cons.

“Where was the vetting done and which method did they use in order to pick him?” part of the press statement read.

The professionals maintained that it would only be important if all stakeholders are involved in selecting the person who should represent them in Parliament after the August 9 general elections.

“We, the professionals of Mohamed Jibrael unanimously and respectfully disagree with the decision made by the self-proclaimed Mohamed Jibrael vetting committee led by Omar Sheikh, ” the statement read.

The team led by Omar Sheikh told the media that they had vetted all the aspirants and settled on Bardad.

However, the Jibrael professionals asked the clerics and other members of the clan to reject the decision.

“We beseech all members of Mohamed Jibrael especially the renown clerics led by Shueib and other Ulamaas to treat the decision made by the self-proclaimed committee as null and void,” the statement added.

With the elections scheduled for August, most Kenya- Somali communities have started endorsing their preferred candidates.

In most cases, going by previous elections, all those who have been endorsed usually end up winning the elections.