Mohamed first to declare bid for Garissa senatorial seat

Women from Garissa who endorsed Mohamed for the senator seat. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Religious leaders at the meeting. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Women from Garissa who endorsed Mohamed for the senator seat./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa senatorial aspirant Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed has become the first candidate to declare his intention to vie for the Senate seat.

The seat  will fall vacant following incumbent Senator Abdul Haji’s decision to contest the governor’s position.

Mohamed, popularly known as Sharawe, made the declaration while addressing women leaders at a Garissa hotel, where they formally endorsed his candidacy.

He used the occasion to call for a shift in the county’s political discourse, urging residents to move away from ethnic and clan-based politics that he said have long hindered development in the region.

He noted that the era of electing leaders based on clan affiliations, ethnicity, and personal interests should be a thing of the past, arguing that such “backward thinking” has contributed to Garissa County lagging behind in development.

Mohamed, a renowned cleric in the region, said his decision to vie for the Senate seat was driven by the need to strengthen oversight and ensure proper use of public funds allocated for development.

“Sixty years after independence and 13 years since devolution, this county is still not where we want it to be. We are not where the people of Garissa deserve to be. We want to take this county to greater heights through inclusive politics—politics based on issues, not personalities or self-interest,” he said.

The aspirant said the endorsement by women leaders, coming just two weeks after a similar backing from religious leaders, was a major boost to his campaign.

“Religious leaders, the youth and women together form the largest voting blocs. Their endorsement means a lot to me because it is selfless and based purely on the common interest of the people,” Mohamed said.

He added that the endorsements reflected a growing desire among residents to change the county’s political conversation from ethnic and clan divisions to a broader, people-centered agenda.

“You cannot keep doing the same thing and expect different results. The discussion today is no longer about clans—it is about us, the people of Garissa,” he added.

On the ongoing drought, Mohamed called on the national and county governments, as well as development partners, to enhance coordination in drought mitigation efforts, warning that delays could cost lives.

“It is well known that Garissa County is among the ASAL regions worst hit by drought. The government should not wait until people die to declare an emergency,” he said.

He appealed to state and non-state actors, religious leaders and humanitarian agencies to urgently reach affected communities, noting that the number of people in need continues to rise.

“If action is not taken within the next two weeks or less, we risk losing human lives. We have already lost livestock,” he warned.

Mohamed also called on Muslims across the country to use the upcoming holy month of Ramadan to support vulnerable families affected by the drought.

“Ramadan is a month of blessings and giving. I urge Muslims to reach out to the poor and needy and support our brothers and sisters who will be fasting during this difficult time,” he said.