Political heavyweights from Northeastern have thrown their weight behind ODM leader Raila Odinga in what may pose a new political nightmare for DP William Ruto.
Governors of at least three of the five counties in the region publicly endorsed Raila at a big gathering dubbed Azimio la Umoja in Garissa yesterday.
The well-attended event brought together delegates from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Marsabit and Mandera.
Garissa Governor Ali Korane, his Wajir counterpart Ahmed Mukhtar and Isiolo's Mohamed Kuti are among the heavyweights supporting Raila.
Also in that camp are Treasury CS Ukur Yatani and Mandera deputy governor Mohamed Arai.
Given the nature of clan politics in Northeastern, the backing from key leaders could give Raila a headstart.
It's also understood that Raila will separately meet with Mandera Governor Ali Roba and Mohamud Ali (Marsabit) who did not attend yesterday's meeting.
The two have formed their own political outfit and publicly differed with the Yatani brigade.
However, also backing Raila are former governors Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) and Godhana Dhoyo (Isiolo).
Former National Assembly Majority leader Aden Duale remains the most prominent political leader in Ruto's camp.
MPs in Raila's camp include MPs Abdikarim Osman (Fafi), Sophia Abdinoor (Ijara) Mohamed Hire (Lagdera), Mohamed Dahiye (Dadaab), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North).
Others are Eldas MP Aden Keynan (Eldas), Ahmed Bashane (Tarbaj) Ahmed Abdisalan (Wajir North), Aden Haji (Mandera west) Yussuf Hasan (Kamkunji) Fatuma Gedi (Wajir Women Rep) and Education CAS Hassan Noor.
In their resolutions that were read by former Wajir governor Ahmed Abdullahi, the leaders unanimously agreed to support Raila for the country's top job.
“We are cognisant of the unique problems that stem from the pre-independence periods and our geography as a region, including marginalisation, insecurity, aridity leading to droughts and flooding, poor infrastructure, insufficient access to opportunities for education, poverty and famine.
“In this regard, we reaffirm our support for the efforts of H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt Hon Raila Odinga to unite the country as a prerequisite for national development and we will make efforts to replicate the efforts in our counties,” read part of the resolutions.
Abdullahi said they have resolved to unite as a region and affirm their support for Raila as the next President, noting that the support is pegged on his past and current policy positions that they noted would take care of the socio-economic aspirations of the region, pastoralists and ASAL communities in general.
Speaking at the forum, CS Yatani said the region will fully support Raila through the UPYA movement.
“As leaders, we have unanimously resolved to offer you our support as leaders and residents of northeastern. We want to assure you that we will walk with you throughout this journey until we make sure that we deliver the seat,” he said.
Korane said Raila had all along remained consistent in the country’s political struggles for democratic change.
He said the region and leaders might have their own clan issues to deal with, but was quick to add that, that will not stand in their way to seek vote from the residents.
Keynan said the sacrifices Raila has made for the country and the region were immense, adding that it was time for him to be rewarded.
“As the leadership, we will come together directly or indirectly to ensure that you clinch the presidency. I personally believe that of all the presidential candidates we have, you are the best bet for the seat,” Keynan said.
Keynan said the country was going through an important transition noting that "if we don’t get it right, our country is not going to be in the right place".
Garissa Senator Abdul Haji said the region has been discriminated against and treated as a second class citizen for a long time noting that majority of youths cannot be able to register as voters because they lack identity cards.
“The region has so many challenges such as drought that has currently left livestock dead, we need to confront some of these challenges while united,” he said.
The leaders also said while they might contest in various political parties in their respective counties, they will use Upya, a political movement recently launched, to negotiate their interest as a block.
“The former PM has sacrificed a lot for this country. He has paid the highest political price that any political leader in this country can pay. He has fought for democracy from day one, surely it is time to honour him,” Haji said.
Addressing the delegates, Raila said he had stood with the region for decades noting that he has always meant good for the region.
He promised to upscale the school feeding programme to maximise student retention and completion of school. He also pledged to initiate water for schools programmes to have learning institutions in the region connected to water.
The ODM leader also promised to strengthen both the formal school system and the mobile school initiatives among pastoralist communities as a means of increasing access to education.
“We will pursue affirmative action programmes that force the government to take over the provision of modern infrastructure and items like tents in case of mobile schools, solar power books, desks, toilets and sanitation from the shoulders of pastoralist parents and their children,” he said.
-Edited by SKanyara
