Korane plots comeback after clan endorsement

Korane, who was picked by his Abduwaq clan as the flag bearer through a negotiated process, said the endorsement was just the beginning of a broader strategy aimed at bringing together Garissa’s diverse communities.

“There are many other communities in the county. The endorsement we have received is at a certain level, it cannot guarantee victory on its own without the support and collaboration of other groups,” he said.

Korane emphasised the need to forge alliances across Garissa’s other dominant clans of Aulihan, and Samawadhal, as well as smaller populations drawn from other Kenyan communities living in the county.

Garissa has three major clans: Abduwaq, Aulihan and Samawadhal.

“In the past, successful bids have relied on coalitions between the major communities," he stated.

"We are working towards securing the backing of at least one more major clan, and support from the smaller communities. Those are the conversations we are holding now."

With two years to the 2027 general elections, Korane said the groundwork is underway, with a formal campaign launch planned for next month.

He is, however, yet to announce the political vehicle he intends to use.

Garissa politics are largely clan-based, shaped by a form of negotiated democracy. In this system, communities invite interested candidates to express their interest in elective positions. 

A council of elders or appointed representatives deliberates and endorses a preferred candidate.

“Five of us expressed interest in the governor’s seat. A committee of 28 members was constituted to deliberate, and after nearly a year of consultations, I was chosen as the community’s flag bearer,” Korane said.

Korane was announced the flag bearer by the consultative committee chairperson Ibrahim Salat during a meeting last week.

Salat said the nomination was made after a process of extensive vetting of all the aspiring candidates.

The community's sultan Dekhow Sambul was present during the meeting.

Korane, who was elected in 2017 on a Jubilee Party ticket, lost to Nathif Jama of ODM in 2022.

At the same time, the former county boss dismissed the ongoing calls for a national dialogue, arguing that the current agitation lacks a clear agenda.

He insisted that for any meaningful dialogue to take place, the issues must first be clearly defined.

“So, I don’t understand the essence of the current agitation or what this conclave really means for Kenyans,” Korane said.

“We cannot dialogue in a vacuum. The recent demonstrations had no agenda at all. 'Ruto must go' cannot be the sole item on the table,” he said.

He pointed to Kenya’s long history of constructive change through dialogue, citing pivotal moments such as the repeal of Section 2A during the push for multiparty democracy in 1991, the IPPG reforms in 1997, and the constitutional review process between 2005 and 2010.

“In all those moments, there were clear demands. This time, there is no coherent agenda, only calls for Ruto’s resignation, which is unconstitutional. Kenya holds elections every five years. Ruto has only served three; let Kenyans make that decision at the ballot in 2027,” he said.