By: Abdikadir Okash, in Nairobi.
NAIROBI—Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Mohamed has defied his clansmen’s decision and opted to throw the towel in the ring to clinch Wajir County top job.
In a series of meeting that culminated in the Saturday announcement, the former Wajir East Mp said he was not as old as people claim, adding he was fit to lead.
“I’m 65-year old and that does not make me an old man too old to lead.” The Mwalimu started with the tense press conference.
The question of age was a direct rejoinder to the elders of his clan—the Fai community—who, although not directly, left him out in the nomination due to his relatively advanced age compared with his two rivals, the selected governor Ugas Sheikh Mohamed and his counterpart, Mohamed Duale.
The Fai clan elders observed that Ugas candidancy would streamline his bid to convince Wajir County residents since he is so much like the incumbent governor, Ahmed Abdullahi.
Ugas is a little know political character: he has never served in a political office, he looks youthful and his opponents are as few, if any. That was the similar characterastics that ascended the current governor to power in the last General Election where he trounced Amb. Mohamed Abdi and Mohamed Ali Mursal.
“I would like to inform you that my name will be in the ballot come 2017 election,” Amb. Abdi said. He called on the people of Wajir County to support his candidature.
We understand that the final meeting to have the ambassador to announce his candidature was reached at the Sarova Stanley hotel in Nairobi on Thursday afternnon where a number of Fai leaders attended, but conspicuously missing was the Tarbaj MP Mohamed Elmi.
While making the announcement, he was flanked by the son of the former Wajir West MP Ahmed Khalif, the Speaker of Wajir County assembly Bishar Omar and township MCA.
In the line-up, one can deduce that this is a rebel force out to defy orders. For the Township MCA, he represents the Masare clan who feels threatened after the Fai elders selected a Wajir East contender. For the speaker, he feels shortchanged after he was left out in the selection list.
The Sultan of Fai, Najib said he was shocked by the sudden change of heart, adding that Mohamed Abdi swore to support the the Ugas candidature.
“I am surprised that he renaged on a promise he made earlier. I find the announcement contemptious and disrespectful,” the youthful Sultan said.
Yamin Mohamed Abdi, one of the daughters of the ambassador believes the process that saw her father miss on out the nomination was not innocent, saying it was laced with politics and betrayal.
“Who said the Sultan is holy,” she wrote on Facebook.
“We understand how the Sultan is close to the Wajir govenor,” she added, refering to Governor Ahmed Abdullahi.
At the end of the press conference, Mohamed Abdi maintained that he was far much more experienced that his contenders.
“I became an MP, then an assistance minister, cabinet member and am now serving as an ambassador,” he said, adding: “The only two positions am left with is the Vice-presidency and the presidency and we all understand that Wajir County today is a government of its own.”
His announcement came a week after he declared his support for Ugas candidacy. His announcement on Saturday was met with mixed reaction in Wajir County. With Mwalimu’s name in the ballot, the Fai is now a divided community.
