Abass rejects elders’ backing of Haji in Garissa governor bid

Former Ijara MP Ibrahim Abass has rejected the endorsement of Senator Abdulkadir Haji by a section of Samawadhal elders in the Garissa governor race.

After months of consultations, quiet lobbying and closed-door meetings, elders led by Sultan Hassan Shurie last Wednesday declared the clan would rally behind Haji.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Sultan’s residence attended by elders, professionals and community members.

The decision triggered an immediate backlash from Abass and his supporters, who termed the process divisive and flawed. He spoke in Garissa town after receiving backing from a splinter group of elders.

Abass rejected Haji’s endorsement and insisted his declaration represented the true position of the council.

“The purported endorsement that happened the other day was fake. The real endorsement is this one happening today in the open while people are fasting, not the other one,” he said, shortly after being handed a certificate.

“You have seen for yourself the certificate being signed by elders from the council — a clear sign that this is the real endorsement.”

Abass said his bid is driven by the need for change in Garissa county.

“My journey and determination to bring the much-needed change has just started. I will not let residents down,” he said, urging voters to rally behind his candidature.

He pointed to his record as Ijara MP and later as speaker of the county assembly, arguing his leadership credentials speak for themselves.

“My record is very clear when I served as MP for Ijara and as speaker of the county assembly on what I was able to accomplish. I promise to serve the people of Garissa to the best of my ability,” he said.

Ugas Abdi faulted the elders who endorsed Haji, claiming the decision was reached without involving the full council.

“For us it is forward ever and backward never. We have our candidate in the name of Ibrahim Abass and he is the community’s choice," he said.

“We will embark on vigorous campaigns and traverse all corners of this county to popularise his candidature and ensure he clinches the seat.”

When endorsing Senator Haji last week, elder Mohamed Shide, speaking on behalf of the council of elders, said the two candidates were invited to appear before the council but Abass did not honour the invitation.

Abass dismissed claims he refused to honour the elders’ invitation.

He said he was the first person to submit his application to the elders, noting their importance in guiding the community.

Abass said he had been informed the window for contenders to submit their applications to the elders would remain open until May 31, and he was shocked when last week’s talks took place.

“I was called and told to appear before the elders on Monday, but I told them I was busy with work and we all agreed that I would go on Saturday, only to learn later that things had changed,” he said.

With deep divisions now evident within the Samawadhal leadership, the dispute has exposed cracks in the clan’s endorsement process ahead of the election.

Garissa county is predominantly inhabited by three major clans — Samawadhal, Auliyahan and Abduwak — making clan unity a key factor in electoral contests.

Five candidates have declared interest in the gubernatorial seat: former Garissa Governor Ali Korane, former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye, Water Resources Management Authority CEO Moulid Shurie, former PS Abdi Dubat and Abass.

With endorsements contested and alliances shifting, the Garissa governor race is shaping up to be closely fought.