Ex-CS Adan gets Degodia clan backing for Mandera governor bid

Former EAC Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed’s bid for Mandera governor has gotten a boost following an endorsement by the Degodia community.

Mandera North MP aspirant Mohamed Bardad said the Saturday endorsement was mainly based on Adan's experience in civil service.

“Adan has proven without reasonable doubt that he is a good leader. He can be trusted to not only develop our county but also manage resources prudently,” he said.

Bardad who has already been endorsed by his Jibrael community said going forward, elders will rally the community behind Adan.

The former CS comes from the Garre clan which is the biggest in the county.

Others are Murule and the Degodia whose swing votes are always used to determine who wins.

Elder Billow Khalid said they settled on Adan because he was better placed to unite all communities in Mandera.

“Mandera is a cosmopolitan county, before we even talk of development we want to have a leader who will unite our communities. There are those we cannot trust at all because we know what they can do,” he said.

Adan while thanking the Degodia for the endorsement said the journey to transform the county ‘has just started’.

He said the people of Mandera have to decide between the past and a restorative future.

The former CS said his decision to vie came after wide consultations with the people of Mandera, who urged him to come back and help develop the community.

Adan also hit out at Governor Ali Roba accusing him of doing little to tackle the ravaging drought.

He said Roba has channelled much of his time and energy to the political scene instead of concentrating on helping residents.

“We have the biggest drought of the decade, which is affecting livelihoods in Northern Kenya. Unfortunately, instead of addressing it, our leaders have chosen to put on party colours and move from one hotel to another. That will not help us,” Adan said.

The former CS said the governor should be making good use of the county emergency kitty to alleviate the suffering. "Unfortunately we are not seeing much on that front.”

He also said the speaker ought to have called for an emergency meeting to appropriate more resources towards issues of drought in Mandera.

However, two weeks ago, Roba who comes from the same sub clan as Adan threw his weight behind Mandera speaker Aden Khalif.

Khalif has also declared interest in the Mandera governor seat.

Others in the race are Mandera Senator Mohamed Mohamud, former Education CAS Hassan Noor and Feisal Abdirahman.

Governor Roba will not be contesting since he has served his two terms. He has however hinted at going for the Senate seat.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)