Ugaas Sheikh welcomed to Wajir as Sultanate-defying calls gain momentum

By: Abdikadir Ukash 

WAJIR—In a move seen as break from his previous political engagement,  Ugaas Sheikh Mohamed has today pulled off one of the biggest rallies in Wajir since a highly contested Sultanate verdict dismissed his ambition to lead Wajir County after next year polls.

In today’s rally, he was flanked by section of individuals with influence in the Fai politics, an unprecedented show of solidarity that could shake the core of the Sultane verdict which favoured Hassan Wehliye and a boost to his growing camp.

Previously seen as someone who would easily give up the race ahead of its official start, Ugaas  it appears, is ready to challenge an institution he reportedly respected it’s views in 2016 but failed to honour their side of the bargain when the call to back him for the county top seat became due.

“We are Muslims and one thing about Islam is that we have to honour any promise we make,” noted the first speaker only identified as Jibril setting the mood for the series of Sultanate-defying speech that was to follow.

Mohamed Hiish, the MCA for Barwaqo ward said unnamed “cartels” were opposed to Ugaas Sheikh’s candidacy

“If you ask them why they are opposed to his candidacy, they will say that he’s hard-headed. Maybe they want a candidate they can command and who will allow them do what they want,” he said.

Ugas address the crowd at Orahey grounds. (Rawan Hussein)

The hundreds of people who braced the scorching sun at the famous Orahey grounds were oozing a high sense of defiance and Ugaas is their beacon of hope.

“Yes. I want him to go all the way. Our bond as a clan (Fai) is not all about the blood and the lineage. It should include respect to human dignity and honourig pledged and if not, why it was dishonoured. How Ugaas is being treated is not right,” said Mohamed Saleeban from Lambiib location  when asked why he trekked all the way to attend the rally.

“Today is ‘Ugaas Day’,” declared the MCA for Tarbaj Issa Garore who called on the people of Wajir to elect leaders based on merit.

“Let us vote in candidate who helped the people even when they were not in power,” Garore added. He was referring to the philanthropic work previously done by Ugaas when he was working with several Gulf-based charity orgernisations like Africa Muslim Agency.

In his speech, Ugaas outlined his priorities if elected and why he’s opposed to the political system of negotiated democracy.  He said he will automate government services and synergise the resources of the county and that of the humanitarian orgernisations for proper management of disasters and optimization.

“I was in the national board that introdued the Huduma Centre and e-Citizen. It has allowed the government to streamline service delivery, ” he said.

He also suggested that the Wajir Refferal Hospital managed as county parastatal, saying it needs more attention.

“It really pained me when I saw dialysis patients demonstarting for lack of service. Those patients don’t have to go through all of that at this age and time. We have the resource and it only lacks proper management,” Ugaas added.

He also critisised the Sulatane process that left him out. “I will not say they were compromised. I will not question their (Sultanate) integrity, but the time for others to decide for us is over. It’s one-man-one-vote,” he stated.

In just over eight months to the General Elections,  the number of candidates set to differ with the highly contested negotiated democracy is set to increase.