Elmi entry in Wajir race a Fai setback

The entry of former Chief Administrative Secretary for Environment and Forestry Mohamed Elmi to the already crowded Wajir governor race has complicated the chances of the Fai sub-clan of the Degodia community winning the county top seat.

Fai, presumably the largest single voting bloc among the 12 Degodia sub-clans, is keen to retain the seat previously held by Mohamed Abdi in the upcoming polls.

The community, which boasts of its numerical strength is facing strong opposition from the Mantaan clan, the second largest voting bloc, and has fronted the former governor, Ahmed Abdullahi.

The Mantaan led the Degodia and Wajir in general during post-colonial era and pioneered devolution.

Legitimacy in limbo 

Despite the exit of EACC coast region boss Hassan Wehliye, the Fai community is at a crossroads following the declaration by Elmi he will contest the seat currently held by Ahmed Ali Muktar and whose legitimacy is in limbo following a court ruling on February 16 declaring his assumption of office following Abdi’s impeachment null and void.

Others in the race from the Fai sub-clan include Ugas Sheikh Saturday, the Fai sultanate endorsed Hassan, a former NHIF boss as the community flagbearer replacing Wehliye whose endorsement three months ago was rocked by claims of elders being palm greased.

“I want to thank my immediate family for endorsing me for the position of governor for Wajir County. This has been a long process,” Dr Hassan said in his acceptance speech on Saturday.

He however admitted that the negotiated democracy practised among Somali communities has its own challenges.

“We want to thank the people of Wajir for bearing with us to come out and clearly identify our gubernatorial candidate,” he said rallying his close challenger Ugas Sheikh Mohamed to be satisfied with the elders’ verdict.

“I hope everybody will be satisfied even those ones who are a little bit unhappy; that Fai community has chosen me as their gubernatorial candidate for 2022,” he observed.

Necessary experience 

He said that he is best bet for the county top job citing his over 25 years working in government experience holding different positions of leadership.

“I know, I will fulfill my obligation and the need of the people including health, education, water security and all other social amenities. I do this without fear or favor because I have the necessary experience to provide that service,” he held.

With the help of elders, Fuje is expected to form coalitions with Ogaden and Ajuran sub-clans who are expected to share, the deputy Governor slot, Senatorial and Women representative positions.

However, Ugas, has rubbished the coronation of Dr Hassan saying it was premeditated.

“This is my message to the people of Wajir. We are determined and focused and we are forging ahead. I want to make it crystal clear that I did not participate in that sham, premeditated and predetermined process that has just concluded in Wajir, Saturday evening,” he posted on twitter.

“I will continue with my campaign to be next governor of Wajir County,” he added.

Negotiated democracy 

Elmi, a former Tarbaj MP, says he will forego the crucial elders’ blessings but instead will seek the support of his ‘friends’ cross the county. However, his critics argue that his reign as the only minister in the Kibaki-Raila government for Northern Kenya and other arid lands was marred by white elephant projects, lack of successful road maps and plans. His signature project, a shilling 6 billion-sewerage program for Wajir was a huge failure and a reminder of his legacy in his native county.

“I am not contesting on tribal negotiated democracy process,” Elmi said yesterday, telling his opponents to be ready for a bruising battle.

However, his critics claim Elmi’s political ideology is based on clan mathematics. He was one of the leaders who introduced the Ugas and Sultanate traditions and mix of clan-politics, which was only common in the neighboring Somalia. He was the brainchild behind the establishment of the Fai Sultanate in 2015.