Former Garissa Governor Ali Bunow Korane is placing his experience in public administration and his record in healthcare, education and water provision at the centre of his bid to return to county leadership in 2027.

Korane, who served as Garissa’s second governor between 2017 and 2022, is seeking another opportunity to lead the county after losing the last election to Nathif Jama Adam.

His return bid brings together a long career in national government and five years of experience managing a devolved administration.

Before becoming governor, Korane served in the Provincial Administration as a district commissioner and deputy provincial commissioner and later as a permanent secretary.

These positions gave him experience in government administration, coordination and public service delivery before he entered county leadership.

Healthcare features prominently in the record he has presented to voters. During his first term, Korane cited the operationalisation of intensive care and renal units at Garissa Referral Hospital among his administration’s achievements.

Speaking during the 2022 campaign, he said the facilities enabled patients to obtain specialised treatment within Garissa instead of travelling to Nairobi for some referral services.

The claim formed part of his argument that investment in local hospital capacity could reduce the burden on families seeking treatment outside the county.

Water provision was another area of investment. In January 2019, Korane commissioned the Kasha Water Supply project, implemented by the county administration with co-funding from UNICEF.

The project was intended to improve access to water in Kasha and neighbouring settlements, providing a documented example of cooperation between the county and a development partner.

His administration also undertook the construction of Early Childhood Development Education classrooms and recruited teachers to support foundational learning. These initiatives remain among the education interventions highlighted in reporting on his tenure.

Korane has acknowledged that his administration also had shortcomings. In a September interview with The Star, he said another term would give him an opportunity to apply lessons from his earlier leadership and revisit unfinished work.

“I made some mistakes, and I learnt from them. I made some successes, and I will build on them,” he said.

His comeback bid therefore puts two questions before Garissa voters; how they assess his previous administration, and whether his experience offers a credible basis for improved service delivery.