Samawadhal clan against Dagane as Jama's deputy

A section of Samawadal clan members have protested against having Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane as Nathif Jama's running mate.

They say the move is ill-advised and will work against Jama who will be contesting against incumbent Ali Korane and  Dekow Mohamed.

The leaders spoke during a press conference at a Garissa hotel on Monday. 

Abdirahman Gedi said the current deputy governor has been tested will not add value since he is facing much opposition on the ground.

A committee formed early this year was tasked to nominate a candidate who will represent the community as the sole deputy governor.

The decision informs political alliances for gubernatorial and Senate seats.

Gedi said the committee never consulted the clan elders representing various sub clans before they made the announcement.

“The question we have been asking ourselves is, when did the committee sit and agree on Dagane as the one to deputise Jama?

"We have a feeling this will create disunity within the Samawadal community since the current deputy governor is not their right choice," he said.

Muktar Jelle who spoke on behalf of the youth said the announcement shocked many and will not be accepted by the majority, who will vote against Jama in protest.

“The process was hurriedly done and it was never conducted in a free and fair manner. What will follow is that, Jama whom we were all prepared to vote for as a community, will miss our votes. The earlier the situation is corrected the better,” he said.

Jelle said the former governor should not accept the committee's decision since it will politically undermine his chances to win.

The leaders said the game plan by the committee will work to the advantage of Governor Korane who's choice of a deputy governor is likely to be accepted by the majority of the Samawadal community.

Korane, who has had a frosty relationship with his deputy, has settled on Adan Shaiye from the Hassan Adan clan of the Samawadhal.

Sources intimate that Jama has already settled on Dagane as his deputy after being fronted by the committee.

However, Jama has not yet come out to announce Dagane as his deputy. His confidants say he is yet to fully settle on Dagane, but an announcement is expected soon.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)