Elmi gets boost in governor race after Boray team endorses him

Former Environment CAS Mohamed Elmi's gubernatorial bid got a boost after endorsement by Eldas MP candidate Ahmed Boray's team.

Boray, who is leading the ‘Team change’, holds a lot of influence in his Reer Jiirow subclan.

In terms of clan matrix, the Jiirow subclan are the majority in Eldas, Basir and Lakoley towns and boasts of strong supporters from all Jibrail sub clans.

Elmi hails from the vote-rich Fai subclan of Degodia that resides in the neighbouring Tarbaj and Wajir East constituencies.

Boray, who seeks to unseat the incumbent Adan Keynan, said supporting Elmi was a community decision.

Elmi is vying as an independent candidate and was endorsed on Wednesday at the Wajir guest house.

The ceremony was attended by elders, women, youth, professionals and was blessed by the deputy sultan of the Jibrail community Ugas Muhumed Mohamud Maalim.

The sultan said they chose to support Elmi because of his development track record as a civil servant.

“As a community this is not a decision that we hurriedly arrived at. We did a lot of soul searching and consultations from all our community members.

"Elmi’s achievements are well known and documented. It was easy to sell him to the people of Eldas,” he said.

Maalim said they will use the remaining days to consolidate votes from the community.

“We will ensure that they all vote for Elmi to the last man. We are sure he will safeguard the interest of not only our community but of all Wajir residents because he is an elder,” he said.

The sultan said the community's decision binds them to move in one direction and speak in one voice.

“In Elmi we have a leader who has been tried and tested. I have no doubt that we have made the right choice to throw our support behind him,” he said.

Former Dela MCA Abdishakur Adhan said although four candidates from the Fai community are on the ballot, Elmi has support from all communities residing in Wajir and has an upper hand at winning the seat.

Elmi, a two-term MP said he is humbled by the endorsement, promising to serve all residents equally if elected.

“I accept this endorsement with a full and grateful heart with only one obligation; providing good leadership to our community and to the people of Wajir.

"I know the task ahead is not a walk in the park. It requires a lot of commitment and dedication, not just from me but from every single member of our community,” he said.

Elmi who has based his campaign on ending corruption in the county promised to do all it takes to give people the dream leadership they yearn for.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)