Korane urges politicians to avoid divisive rhetoric

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Former Garissa Governor Ali Korane has called on politicians seeking various elective positions to exercise restraint in their public utterances, warning that careless and self-serving statements could polarize communities and trigger unnecessary tensions in the fragile county.

Speaking in Bura town, Fafi Constituency, Korane noted that Garissa is home to diverse clans and communities whose peaceful coexistence could easily be undermined by inflammatory political rhetoric, especially as the country heads toward an election period.

“Let us avoid utterances that could cause violence. This is an electioneering period, and political leaders and community elders must be symbols of unity,” he said.

“Garissa is a fragile county. We cannot afford statements that divide our people along clan lines for personal political gain. Peace must remain paramount, and anyone seeking leadership must uphold and protect it,” Korane added.

Korane, a former administrator, emphasized that political leadership comes with responsibility, urging aspirants to prioritize unity and stability over narrow political interests.

He also appealed to the national government and non-governmental organizations to scale up assistance to residents affected by the worsening drought situation, noting that the number of people in need continues to rise.

The current crisis follows three consecutive failed rain seasons—the October–December 2024 short rains, the March–May 2025 long rains, and the October–December 2025 short rains.

“The last few days I have been to Balambala and Fafi sub-counties, and I have seen for myself firsthand how drought has taken a toll on our people. The situation is bad. The sight of animal carcasses strewn all over tells the story,” he said.

While lauding the government for activating drought response mechanisms to cushion vulnerable communities, the former governor stressed the need for accountability in the distribution of relief food and water.

He reiterated that peace, fairness, and effective coordination among stakeholders were critical to safeguarding lives and livelihoods in Garissa County during the ongoing drought and the approaching political season.

“As the government embarks on offering much-needed assistance to the most vulnerable in our communities, we hope that the most deserving are the ones who will get the help,” he said.

“The government structures charged with this responsibility must ensure that this happens. It would not be good to witness a scenario where the government works so hard to help the needy, only for a few selfish individuals to take advantage of the situation and divert the assistance for their own gain. That is morally wrong,” Korane said.

The ravaging drought has forced pastoralist families to move farther from their traditional grazing areas in search of survival.

The former governor was accompanied by former Fafi MPs Elias Barre Shill and Ibrahim Salat, several Fafi parliamentary aspirants, and more than 15 serving members of the Garissa County Assembly, underscoring the growing momentum behind his comeback bid.

He also drummed up support for the United Democratic Party (UDP) and President William Ruto’s bid for a second term.

In June last year, Korane’s bid to recapture the seat received a boost after his Abduwaq clan settled on him as the sole candidate to carry the community’s flag at the ballot.

He remains the only candidate who has been endorsed by the clan.

Korane hails from the Abduwaq clan, while Abaas and Haji are from the Samawadhal clan. Shidiye comes from the Aulihan clan. Garissa County’s politics are often shaped by clan dynamics.

Over the last two weeks, Korane, who recently joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and was issued a life membership certificate, has held a series of meetings with representatives and opinion leaders from more than twelve resident communities across the county.

He vowed to continue meeting the remaining communities and touring other sub-counties in the coming days.