Section of rival Wajir leaders denounce governor, identify possible senator and deputy governor

Section of Wajir leaders at a press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi (kulan post)

NAIROBI—Section of Wajir County leaders have denounced the area governor Ahmed Abdullahi, saying they have withdrawn support.

At a joint press conference on Saturday, the area legislators maintained that they would seek for a change of leadership, arguing that he came short of their expectation.

Eldas member of parliament Aden Keynan said he’s withdrawn his support following political fallout with the governor.

“We supported his bid in the last elections and we have now decided to withdraw our support,” Keynan said.

He introduced Abdullahi Ali Kabreta as “our senator”, a reference that could seal the deal on Kabreta’s numerous options of joining the three viable alliances in Wajir. Aden Enow, his rival senatorial hopeful from Wajir North was present at the event.

In Wajir South, Kabreta is seen as an ally that is ready to join the alliance. However, Kabreta is a candidate that puts party over clan politics and the people who worked with him say he normally prefers to find himself in the ruling party.

In a recent meeting he held with the senator of Wajir Abdirahman Olow, Kabreta said he was willing to join the “Third way alliance” only if they would vie on a Jubilee ticket.

At their State House meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta, Wajir South leaders were told that Jubilee has no preferred candidate in Wajir.

Immediate former Saudi envoy and Wajir gubernatorial hopeful Mohamed Abdi told Kulan Post at the sidelines of the press conference at Serena that he has the backing of the president and he remains the preferred Jubilee candidate.

“Personally, I would like to vie on a Jubilee (ticket),” Mohamed said. The ambassador’s party preference goes against what his leading backer in the alliance Mohamed Elmi (Tarbaj) said at the press conference that they have not settled for the party that will sponsor them to power.

“I was a beneficiary of Jubilee government having been appointment the ambassador to Riyadh and in two weeks, I will lead this team to Jubilee,” he assured.

“Are you ready to go the primaries for the Jubilee ticket,” we asked.

“It’s for the people of Wajir to decide,” he replied.

Apart from the division on which party to vie on, the alliance is also torn between Kabreta and Aden Enow who unsuccessfully vied for the county senatorial bid in 2013 elections.

Aden Keynan (Eldas) prefers to have Kabreta as senator while Mohamed Abdi wants Aden Enow.

Former one time Wajir South member of parliament Abdisirat Dayow said he joined the alliance, breaking ranks with Wajir south leaders who fronted their own alliance to challenge the incumbent Ahmed Abdullahi in the August polls.

“I am very happy and excited to represent Wajir South here today,” Dayow told Kulan Post after the press conference.

“I know Wajir South has decided but I don’t mind that…I am interested in a county position,” he said without specifying the position.

Fatuma Gedi Ali, the nominee for Women representative termed Dayow’s decision unfortunate, saying he can not deliver the support of Wajir South to Mohamed Abdi’s camp.

“Dayow is a lone ranger and is out of place,” she said.