Mohamed Bashir, speaking after being endorsed by his Hassan Adan
sub-clan./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The race for the Ijara parliamentary seat is beginning to take shape, with clan elders increasingly stepping into the political arena.
The elders are rallying their communities behind preferred candidates ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The latest development has come from the Hassan Adan sub-clan of the larger Samawadhal clan, which has endorsed Mohamed Bashir at a ceremony held in Bula Gogon in Ijara town as its sole candidate for the Ijara parliamentary seat, making it among the first sub-clans in the constituency to formally throw its weight behind a candidate.
The elders, led by Chairman of the Hassan Adan Sub-Clan Elders Committee Hassan Ibrahim, said their decision followed extensive consultations and was based on what they described as Bashir's age, leadership experience, maturity and understanding of security matters.
He said the constituency requires leadership capable of balancing the aspirations of its youthful population with the concerns and wisdom of older residents.
“Our decision has been informed by a number of important considerations. We believe that Mohamed Bashir represents a generation of leadership that combines youthfulness, energy and maturity,” Ibrahim said after the endorsement.
He placed particular emphasis on his experience in security matters, an issue they consider critical in a constituency characterised by its vast geographical area and persistent challenges relating to access to effective security services.
“Security remains one of the most important issues affecting communities in Ijara. Bashir's understanding of security-related issues would place him in a strong position to articulate the concerns of residents and engage national security agencies.”
Bashir, commonly known by his supporters as Mobash, a former police officer and the current chairman of KPR, North Eastern Region, expressed his gratitude for the confidence the elders had placed in him by endorsing him as their sole candidate.
He described the elders' decision as both an honour and a responsibility.
He, however, acknowledged that an endorsement by elders was only the beginning of the political process.
“I do not take this endorsement for granted. It is a great honour and, at the same time, a profound responsibility that comes with a clear expectation from our elders and the people of Ijara. I am deeply grateful for their wisdom, guidance and confidence in my ability to serve our people and champion their interests,” he said.
He promised to embark on a constituency-wide campaign aimed at listening to residents and presenting his vision for Ijara, insisting that his campaign would seek to reach people beyond clan lines.
“This will be a people-driven campaign based on consultation, unity, development and the protection of the interests of every resident, regardless of clan, age or background,” Bashir said.
In the Somali community, the role of elders in political decision-making remains significant.
Although the ultimate power to elect a Member of Parliament rests with voters, elders wield considerable influence in mobilising communities, building consensus and determining which candidate receives the collective backing of a clan or sub-clan.
An endorsement by elders is therefore more than a ceremonial declaration.
It provides a candidate with an important political head start, giving them an organised support base from which to begin campaigning while also signalling to the wider electorate that a particular community has reached a consensus.
The endorsement could, however, have wider political ramifications within the Hassan Adan community, particularly for former Ijara MP Sophia Abdi Noor, who also hails from the same sub-clan.
Abdi Noor made history when she became the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament in a constituency in Northern Kenya, serving as Ijara MP and subsequently becoming one of the most prominent female political figures from the region.
The endorsement also comes at a time when the Ijara parliamentary contest is gradually attracting interest from several political players.
The incumbent, Abdi Ali, who hails from the Abdikarim sub-clan, is expected to defend his seat, while Bashir Beina is also among those positioning themselves for the contest.
Ijara is largely inhabited by four main sub-clans — Hassan Adan, Abokor Adan, Abdikarim and Baha — making the mobilisation and positioning of each community potentially important in the race.
Mohamed Bashir, being lifted shoulder high after being
endorsed by his Hassan Adan sub-clan./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Community members from the Hassan Adan sub-clan during the endorsement of Bashir. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
