Former Wajir gubernatorial candidate Mohamed Fuje will seek run again for the county's top seat in 2027.
The revelation was made by Abdi Salel who was his running mate in the 2022 election.
Salel announced in Habaswein that his partnership with Fuje remains and that the two are preparing to run again for the county’s top leadership in the 2027 general election.
Salel spoke after his community endorsed him for the deputy governor position, setting the stage for what could be another alliance-driven contest for the county’s leadership.
The duo finished second in the 2022 gubernatorial race, losing to incumbent Governor Ahmed Abdullahi.
Salel said the experience gained during their previous campaign had given them a better understanding of the challenges facing Wajir residents and strengthened their resolve to seek office again.
“I want to make it clear that Hassan Mohamed Fuje remains our candidate for governor, and I am still his preferred running mate. We are asking the people of Wajir to allow us to serve them,” he said.
He argued that the county needed leadership anchored in accountability, integrity and responsiveness, promising that their administration would prioritise the needs of residents rather than the interests of a few individuals.
Salel said their extensive campaign across Wajir in 2022 gave them first-hand knowledge of the problems affecting different communities, which they intend to address if elected.
He said their previous engagement with residents had enabled them to understand local priorities and the expectations people have of their county government.
“We went across the county, visited different settlements and engaged residents to understand their concerns and aspirations. That experience helped us appreciate what the people need from their leaders,” he said.
Salel called on voters to support their bid, saying they were prepared to work with all communities to improve service delivery and promote equitable development.
He also thanked community representatives who spent two days deliberating on the selection of a candidate for the deputy governor position, describing the exercise as an important step towards building a joint political front.
“Our vision is to bring the people of Wajir together. We do not intend to lead in isolation but to work collectively with all communities for the benefit of the county,” he said.
He pledged to serve residents without discrimination, regardless of their clan or community background.
The endorsement comes as Fuje consolidates his political support after receiving the backing of his Fai sub-clan, part of the larger Degodia community, which recently endorsed him as its sole candidate for the Wajir governorship.
Fuje's renewed bid, coupled with Salel’s endorsement, points to efforts to strengthen their political partnership ahead of the election, although the wider contest is expected to be shaped by negotiations among the county’s major communities.
Wajir’s political landscape is largely influenced by three major communities: the Degodia, Ogaden and Ajuran.
Competition for elective positions has increasingly involved inter-clan negotiations and political alliances, with aspirants seeking support beyond their immediate communities to improve their electoral prospects.
Such arrangements have become an important feature of local election campaigns, particularly in the gubernatorial race, where candidates often seek to combine their community support bases through negotiated partnerships and the sharing of political responsibilities.
The choice of running mates and the distribution of key positions can therefore play a significant role in shaping alliances, mobilising voters and determining the balance of support across the county.
Their latest political moves signal an early effort to position themselves within the emerging coalition-building process, with their appeal centred on inclusive leadership, accountability and service delivery.
