Clan arithmetic, alliances involving Wajir’s three main clans, financial muscle, political parties and candidates’ past track records have been cited as the key factors that will define the contest for Wajir governorship.

Credibility of contestants in respecting pre-election pacts with other communities will also be a determinant.

The monumental pilferage of public resources that characterised the regime of ousted Governor Mohamed Abdi is also expected to take centre stage during campaigns. 

Five aspirants are seeking to be elected fourth governor of the county, which is largely arid and with a population of less than 700,000 –majority of who are of  Somali extraction.

They are Governor Ahmed Ali Muktar, former county boss Ahmed Abdullahi, Ugas Sheikh Mohamed, Hassan Wehliye and Shallow Abdullahi.

Muktar comes from the Ogaden clan, Abdullahi is of Mantaan sub-clan descent while Wehliye and Ugas are from the Fai sub-clan of the dominant Degodia clan.

Shallow, the latest entrant in the arena is of the Ajuran nation.

The three main clans (Degodia, Ogaden and Ajuran) ostensibly had a mutual agreement in the run-up to 2013 and 2017 elections that the majority Degodia produces a governor and Woman Rep, leaving the posts of senator and deputy governor to be shared by Ogaden and Ajuran sub-groups.

But the ouster of Abdi of the Degodia clan has left the 2022 governor’s race open to all communities.

The Mantan sub-clan together with the Fai, who are dominant in Wajir West, Wajir East and Tarbaj constituencies have dominated political affairs in the county since independence.

Abdullahi from Wajir West and ardent supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga held the seat between 2013-2017 and he is seeking a comeback riding on his development record.

Mohamed Abdi Mohamed who hails from Wajir East was the governor until his impeachment in May, 2021.

Development record

Muktar, who was Muhamed’s deputy, was elevated to be the governor.

Shallow, who hails from Wajir North says time is ripe for the Ajuran community to take over the reins of power.

“Our brothers from Wajir West have tested this seat and we have seen the kind of leadership they have offered us.

Our brothers in Wajir East have served us and we have seen what they have done to us. Our brothers from Wajir South are currently in office,” Shallow said.

“Now our prayer is as a community, Ajuran has never been given this position of governorship.

We are just asking, requesting our brothers from the other communities to test us and see whether we can provide good leadership which will be inclusive, fair, and equitable for all Wajir residents,” he added.

If elected, Shallow has promised to be fair to all communities by sharing resources equitably. He said he will prioritise water, health, education and unity among the communities.

 Shallow held that he has what it takes to lead the county, citing his vast experience in community work and stint as at the European Union.

“So a lot of expertise. And do not forget that houses are finance persons, and accountability will be integral in all my undertakings,” he added.

Integral part

Abdullahi, a career accountant, has already been endorsed by 10 sub-clans of the larger Degodia clan to recapture the seat he lost in 2017.

He has promised progressive and transparent service delivery if elected on August 9.

Abdullahi, a senior economic adviser on World Bank projects to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani regretted that the county has fallen from grace to grass, saying the top on his list will be reviving hope and correcting mistakes made by his predecessor.

“In 2013, my pledge of service guided my administration in establishing a platform that led to the progress made until 2017. In August 2022, we will start our journey to restore hope and make Wajir rise again,” he said.

“I promise to uphold the dignity, pride and great name of Wajir by serving  residents equally if elected again in 2022 InshaAllah,” he stated.

 He said his administration has, for instance, improved health care services and that residents did not have to travel far to seek treatment.

Abdullahi established and operationalised surgical theaters in five sub-counties to help health personal provide basic surgeries at Level Two hospitals.

Governor race will also be shaped by pre-election talks between the candidates, as some elders are already pushing for an alliance between one of the Fai candidates and Abdullahi, who hails from the same sub-section of Yaber sub-group in the larger Degodia.