Awliyahan clan endorses Jama for Garissa Senate seat

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama has been endorsed by the Awliyahan community as its sole candidate for the Senate seat, ending months of speculation about his political ambitions.

The endorsement was announced on Monday at a ceremony attended by the Awliyahan Sultanate, led by community king Hamud Sheikh Muhumed, clan elders, political leaders, professionals and community representatives.

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Elders representing all nine Awliyahan sub-clans attended the gathering, signalling a collective decision to back the outgoing governor as he prepares for a possible transition from county leadership to the Senate.

The declaration followed months of consultations coordinated by the Sultanate, which considered four aspirants before settling on Jama.

The endorsement forms part of a broader political arrangement between the Awliyahan and Samawadhal communities, popularly known as the Telasame alliance.

Under the agreement, the Samawadhal are expected to field the governor candidate, while the Awliyahan will seek the Senate seat, deputy governor position, woman representative seat and Garissa Township MP position.

Jama thanked his community for endorsing his bid, saying the decision reflected the confidence it had shown in him throughout his political career.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to my Awliyahan community for unanimously endorsing me as the sole candidate for the senatorial seat. I am truly happy,” he said.

The governor commended the Sultanate, elders and local leaders for steering the consultations towards a common position.

“My community has always stood with me and supported me whenever I have sought its support in elections. I am grateful for that continued confidence,” he said.

Jama maintained his endorsement would not undermine the alliance with the Samawadhal, saying the community had agreed to support its partners for the governorship.

“Our alliance with our brothers, the Samawadhal, is intact, and my endorsement today is part of that arrangement,” he said, adding the community would work to secure the positions it would contest.

He urged eligible residents to obtain national identity cards and register as voters, warning political agreements would have little meaning without participation in elections.

“No one should be left behind. We must fully participate in the electoral process because it is our constitutional right,” he said.

Jama also linked voter registration to the community’s declared support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid, saying political backing must translate into participation at the ballot box.

In a statement read by Ahmed Sheikh Muhumed, the Sultanate said the process began on October 4, when Sultan Hamud Sheikh Muhumed convened its leadership to discuss the Senate contest.

A committee assessed the four aspirants’ applications, commitments, engagement with the Sultanate and visions for Garissa before recording a provisional preference for Jama.

Further consultations allowed sub-clans associated with the other aspirants to present their positions before a consensus was reached.

On October 8, the other aspirants’ sub-clans agreed to shelve their ambitions and support Jama, paving the way for the formal declaration.

The Sultanate thanked the aspirants, elders, committee members and traditional leaders for accepting the consensus-building process.

The presentation of the declaration report and certificate to Sultan Hamud Sheikh Muhumed marked the culmination of the consultations.

The Sultan urged community members to remain united and honour the political arrangement with the Samawadhal ahead of the elections.

“As a community, we are getting ourselves ready ahead of next year's election. As is known, we have entered into an alliance with our brothers, the Samawadhal, that will see us share political seats,” he said.

“Our gathering here today is a continuation of that process. All I am asking from our community members is unity. Let us remain focused and avoid distractions.”

Labasigale MCA Mohamed Sheikh, who is seeking the community’s nomination for deputy governor, said Jama’s endorsement followed extensive consultations involving elders, professionals and community structures.

He said Jama’s experience as governor would be useful in representing Garissa’s interests and scrutinising the county government’s performance.

“We reached a consensus, which was also accepted by the community, to support Jama for the Senate position,” Sheikh said.

He appealed to residents to support Jama, describing him as a leader who promotes unity.

Sheikh said the Senate would provide an opportunity for Jama to oversee the county government’s performance.

Jama’s endorsement came amid a political pact between the Awliyahan and Samawadhal communities, intended to guide the sharing of elective positions in Garissa.

Instant analysis

Nathif Jama’s endorsement for the Garissa Senate seat signals the Awliyahan community’s push to consolidate its political influence. The decision follows months of consultations and forms part of a power-sharing pact with the Samawadhal community, which is expected to field the governor candidate. However, the alliance’s durability will depend on how competing ambitions are managed and whether the agreement translates into electoral support.

Garissa governor Nathif Jama speaking at the ceremony./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Sultan Hamud Sheikh Muhumed of the Awliyahan community speaking at the ceremony./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Community members from the Awliyahan at the ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Labasigale Ward MCA Mohamed Sheikh speaking at the ceremony. He is among those seeking the Awliyahan community's nomination for the deputy governor position. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO