The Talasame Alliance has endorsed former Garissa Woman Representative Shukran Gure as its preferred candidate for the 2027 General Election, bringing the coalition closer to finalising its political lineup.
The endorsement by the Auliyahan community on Sunday adds the woman representative seat to a growing list of positions for which the alliance, bringing together the Auliyahan and Samawadhal communities, has identified preferred candidates.
The deputy governor position remains the only outstanding seat as leaders continue consultations to agree on a candidate.
Under the emerging arrangement, the Samawadhal community has been allocated the governor’s seat, while the Auliyahan community is seeking the Senate, woman representative, Garissa Township parliamentary and deputy governor positions.
The communities are banking on their combined voting strength and coordinated mobilisation to advance their political ambitions.
Auliyahan Sultan Hamud Sheikh said Gure’s endorsement followed consultations involving community elders, leaders and other women aspirants.
“We are again gathered here to endorse our sister Shukran as our community’s and, by extension, our alliance’s sole candidate for the woman representative seat,” Sheikh said.
He said leaders were working to reach a consensus on the deputy governor position, where three aspirants are seeking to deputise Senator Abdul Haji should he emerge as the alliance’s gubernatorial candidate.
“The only seat remaining is the deputy governor’s seat, which we will also very soon settle on a candidate, bringing closure to the whole exercise,” he said.
Sheikh acknowledged that negotiations among the different sub-clans required careful balancing to ensure all groups felt represented.
He urged members of both communities to remain united and avoid distractions that could undermine their shared political objectives.
“As a coalition, we are determined to win all the seats that we will be going for. My plea to our community members, both the Auliyahan and the Samawadhal, is that we remain focused, with our eyes on the prize. We should not allow any form of distractions,” he said.
Sheikh also called on aspirants and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, saying Garissa belonged to all residents regardless of their community backgrounds.
In her acceptance remarks, Gure thanked the elders and selection committee, describing the endorsement as a responsibility she would approach with humility and a commitment to unity.
She also acknowledged women who had sought the position but agreed to step aside in her favour, pledging to support their future political ambitions.
“To my dear sisters who were not selected, I deeply appreciate your courage, leadership and inspiration. This is not the end of your journey. Your time will come, Insha Allah, and I promise to stand with you, support your ambitions and ensure that we move forward together as one family,” she said.
Gure said her selection was an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among women and the wider community.
“This is not a victory for one individual; it is a victory for unity, sisterhood and our collective future,” she said.
The former legislator said she would seek support from other communities across Garissa in the coming months, noting that more than 40 clans were represented in the county.
“I know that we have more than 40 clans represented in Garissa, and I intend to seek their support in the coming months. I will engage with them and ask for their support because we want unity in Garissa. We do not want problems in our county. Garissa is our county, and this is our home,” she said.
She also urged community leaders to mobilise eligible residents to register as voters ahead of the 2027 elections, saying a stronger voter base would help the community push for its share of resources.
Former Lagdera MP Mohamed Hire welcomed Gure’s endorsement and urged residents to support her candidacy, citing her previous experience in elective office.
Hire said the alliance was formed to coordinate the two communities’ ambitions across several elective positions and rally support behind their preferred candidates.
The Auliyahan community had earlier endorsed Senator Abdul Haji as its preferred candidate for governor and Governor Nathif Jama for the Senate seat under the emerging arrangement.
The community has also endorsed Mohamed Werar for the Garissa Township parliamentary seat.
Garissa County Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairlady Qureisha Mohamed backed Gure’s selection, pledging to help mobilise voters across the county.
“We will go round the county to help in seeking votes for you because we know what you are capable of doing,” Mohamed said.
She said Gure’s experience could help advance the interests of women, persons with disabilities and young people, while urging leaders to ensure all communities in the cosmopolitan county were represented fairly.
“This position requires someone who is focused and does not develop one area at the expense of others. Garissa is a cosmopolitan county where many tribes reside. We want leaders who are determined to ensure that all groups are catered for, irrespective of the tribe or clan they come from,” she said.
