Boost for MP Keynan after main rival backs his reelection bid

Eldas MP Adan Keynan’s bid to retain his seat got a major boost after his main rival Siyad Jimale of UDA stepped down in his favour.

Jimale made the announcement at a rally held in Eldas town on Saturday, with Keynan in attendance.

Both Jimale and Keynan come from the Affey section of the larger Jibrail sub clan, which form part of the Degodia community.

In Northeastern clans and sub clans play a major role in election.

There were concerns that had Jimale gone all the way to the ballot, they would have played into the hands of  Ahmed Boray of ODM who comes from a different sub clan.

However, Jimale’s name was yet to be included in the IEBC cleared list of candidates vying for the seat.

He has for the last three months been engaged in protracted court battles with his UDA party and IEBC.

His troubles started on May 31, when he presented his papers to the IEBC for clearance as a UDA candidate, only to be told another aspirant Omar Haji Salat had been given nod to vie on the ticket.

Jimale sought to know how Salat was cleared yet he was not the bonafide nominee of the party led by Deputy President William Ruto.

He argued that Salat was an imposter who presented a fake UDA nomination certificate that misled the Eldas IEBC returning officer Alibashir Alinoor, clearing him to vie.

At the time Jimale linked Keynan to his woes.

He said he was issued with a valid nomination certificate dated April 20, by the party’s election board.

On July 29, the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal declaring Jimale as the bonafide candidate.

Salat however remains the Eldas MP UDA candidate, who is on the ballot.

On Saturday Jimale said after wider consultations with his campaign secretariat, professionals, elders and other stakeholders, he had decided to shelve his ambition and support Keynan.

“I wish to categorically state that I made the decision not to push the great people of Eldas to further political uncertainty and ridicule but rather forgo my aspiration for a moment, in a bid to tone down the heightened political atmosphere.

“I wish to publicly inform the good people of Eldas and my supporters,  that I fully endorse Keynan as the Eldas Member of Parliament 2022–27. I hope we will all throw our support behind him,” he said.

Jimale who is the organising secretary of Eldas Professional Association said he made the decision not to push the electorates to a further political uncertainty and ridicule.

Keynan thanked the elders for the crucial role they played round the clock in bringing them together and ensuring that there is no fallout and disharmony in the community.

“I don't take such a brave decision from my brother for granted. I want to assure the great people of Eldas that we shall continue working together and transform our constituency for the better,” he said.

The legislator said he is committed and focused in pushing for sustainable development. 

“I will continue to affirm my unwavering devotion to fully discharging an all-around leadership that forms a pedestal for guaranteed development, fair opportunities and better avenues for socio-economic transformation,” he said.

Keynan who is seeking his fifth term on a Jubilee ticket thanked the electorate for standing with him throughout the campaigns.

He further urged residents to go out and exercise their democratic right on Tuesday by voting in the right leaders who will move the county forward.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)