Haji courts wider support as governor race gathers pace

Garissa Senator and gubernatorial aspirant Abdul Haji addressing members of the Rer Yayha of the larger Abduwak community. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Garissa Senator and gubernatorial aspirant Abdul Haji has pledged to remain receptive to the concerns and expectations of different communities.

This is as he intensifies efforts to build a broad-based support network ahead of the 2027 General Election.

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Haji, who has in recent weeks stepped up engagements with various sub-clans and community groups across Garissa County, is seeking to expand his political base beyond the Samawadhal and Auliyahan communities.

Clan alliances are emerging as a key factor in the 2027 governor's race.

Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with members of the Rer Yahye family of the larger Abduwak community, the senator said inclusive consultations would be critical as political discussions surrounding the county's next leadership gathered momentum.

Haji said the evolving political landscape required aspirants to listen to communities beyond their traditional support bases and engage voters on their expectations for leadership and governance.

“As we navigate the political dynamics of Garissa, it is important to remain attentive to the ideas, concerns and expectations coming from different communities, particularly as conversations around leadership and governance continue to gather momentum,” Haji said.

He added that the changing political environment was creating opportunities for engagements that transcended established political and clan boundaries, potentially reshaping alliances ahead of the contest.

“The era of rigid political alignments is giving way to a more open political environment, where people are increasingly willing to reach beyond familiar circles, engage across traditional boundaries and explore conversations that might once have seemed unlikely,” he said.

The engagements form part of Haji’s broader efforts to consolidate his political base and reach out to communities whose support could prove decisive in the contest for the county's top seat.

His latest outreach comes against the backdrop of emerging clan-based political arrangements expected to play a significant role in determining the direction of the 2027 governor election.

Haji was endorsed earlier this year by his Samawadhal clan and has since received the backing of the Auliyahan community under the political understanding commonly known as the Telasame alliance.

The arrangement brings the two communities together in a bid to strengthen their influence in the race.

It gives Haji an organised political foundation as he seeks to broaden his appeal among other communities in a county where clan arithmetic, candidate negotiations and cross-community coalitions have historically been important features of electoral competition.

However, with the election still months away, it remains to be seen whether these endorsements will translate into wider voter support.

The senator's engagements with sections of the Abduwak community suggest he is seeking to expand his political reach beyond the communities that have already endorsed his candidature.

Haji, who also met members of the Muqabul community two days ago, said the meeting had provided an opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss the political questions facing Garissa.

He underscored the importance of maintaining open channels of communication with different groups.

“My interaction with members of the Muqabul community was marked by thoughtful exchanges, practical suggestions and a refreshing willingness to speak openly about the political questions before us,” he said.

The senator's outreach strategy comes at a time when prospective candidates are increasingly engaging elders, sub-clan representatives and community leaders in efforts to secure support.

Garissa's governor race is expected to be heavily influenced by how the county's major communities and their constituent sub-clans negotiate political alliances, with endorsements potentially serving as starting points for wider coalition-building.

The emerging Telasame alliance between Samawadhal and Auliyahan supporters is one of the early political formations around Haji’s candidature.

Its eventual influence will depend on its ability to attract additional support and maintain cohesion as other aspirants mobilise their own constituencies.

Former Garissa governor Ali Korane is also expected to feature prominently in the succession battle.

Korane, who lost the 2022 election to incumbent Governor Nathif Jama, has been positioning himself for a political comeback and seeking to consolidate support within his community and beyond.

Last week, his bid received a major boost after Moulid Shurie, who hails from the Abduwak clan, stepped down in his favour.

Other aspirants include former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye, former Ijara MP Ibrahim Abass and former PS Abdiqani Dubat.

While clan endorsements can give aspirants an initial mobilisation advantage, they do not necessarily guarantee electoral success.

Personal appeal, campaign organisation, political negotiations and voters' assessments of candidates' leadership records and development priorities could all influence the outcome.

As the race gradually takes shape, the ability of aspirants to bridge clan differences and build alliances that command support across communities could prove decisive in determining who succeeds Jama as Garissa governor in 2027.