Garissa governor aspirant dares to defy elders, change clan narratives

While politicians are falling over themselves to seek endorsement from clan elders for various seats, a gubernatorial hopeful in Garissa is charting his own path.

Siyad Salat, an inspector in the Prison department, is seeking to change clan narratives in the region, saying the "negotiated democracy" arrangement is to blame for underdevelopment in the region.

This is despite billions of shillings being pumped into the region since the onset of devolution in 2013, Salat says.

Clan elders in Northeastern region have been powerful political influencers as aspirants seek their approval and endorsement to stand any chance of winning.

There, however, been claims that wealthy politicians always have an upper hand in the elder’s choice.

The clan elders also play a key role in negotiating for better coalitions with other clans. A loss or victory has always been a clan affair.

Elders have also been involved in the day-to-day running of  the counties as they engage in lobbying of recruitment of staffers as well settling political disputes.

“It’s time to chart our own way other than seeking clan endorsement, we must change narratives to be issued based campaigns,” he told the Star on Tuesday in an interview.

He alleged that Garissa has returned to the old days where residents used to solely rely on water trucks that charge exorbitantly for water for their households, something he noted can be reversed with visionary leadership.

Salat said the essence of devolution was to ensure funds are sent to grassroots level and locals at the sub-county and village levels decide their priorities.

“We have so many problems just because people are not involved on the progress and funds are not devolved but mismanaged by the elite resulting to under development,” he said.

He said if given a chance he will put in place mechanism and structures that will uplift the youths and vulnerable groups so as to take part in nation building.

Allocations of ward funds he said will be his priority so that people at ward level are consulted with their areas of development, this way he said the spirit of devolution would be realized.

“Leaders should have integrity, experience and should always be truthful who have people’s interest at heart, currently we have so many challenges including water, lack of economic empowerment strategy, poor health provision, all this can be solved with sound leadership,” he noted.

Asked how he wants to bankroll his campaign without financial muscle and elders' endorsement, he said he derives his strength from majority of youths from across the clans in the county whom he said are thirsty for leadership change.

Salat said not many people subscribe to clan and elders' involvement in campaigns and elections

“People are anxious with leadership change and they only need someone that relates with their agenda, a vision that is not in line with clan ideologies but working towards improving their livelihood,” he added.

Other aspirants in the race are  incumbent Ali Korane, former governor Nathif Jama, former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye and Dekow Maalim and Habat Sheikh.