Abduwaq council of elders in Garissa whose power and might of influencing the election could be slowly diminishing.
Most of the candidates picked by the powerful council of elders performed dismally in the August 9 election.
In the run up to election, clans and communities in the pastoral counties hold meetings and make endorsements for aspirants they think are best suited to carry the community’s flag in the 2022 general election.
In Garissa the council picked individuals to vie for different seats as a way of ensuring that all the seven clans are well represented in leadership positions.
The council that is headed by Sultan Dekhow Sambul, comprises seven sub-clans: Rer Harun, Rer Musa, Rer Gulleid, Aden Gerry, Rer Yahya, Rer Kassim and Rer Mahat.
Those picked were Ali Korane (governor), Siyad Osman (Garissa Township), Issa Kahin (Balambala constituency), Abdikarim Osman (Fafi) and Udgoon Siyad (woman representative).
Only Udgoon won with the other three, including Governor Korane, performing miserably.
At the time, Dekhow, who made the announcement at the council’s Garissa shrine after a closed door meeting with clan elders from the seven subclans, urged the community to rally behind the candidates for the sake of unity and cohesion.
Among those who not endorsed were outspoken Garissa Township MP Adan Duale, former EALA MP Abdikarim Osman (Balambala), governor aspirant Dekow Barrow and Salah Yakub who was eyeing the Fafi parliamentary seat.
But before dust could even settle, Duale said he has no time for clan endorsement, saying he would go directly to the people.
The other candidates embarked on conducting individual campaigns as it became obvious that much sought after community unity that was being advanced by the elders had flopped.
Unlike in 2017 when the candidates picked by the council were supported by the whole community, this time there was disgruntlement with those picked.
Political observers like former Northeastern regional commissioner Mohamud Saleh, who is himself the chairman of the Maqabul of elders, said that negotiated democracy served its intended purpose.
The commissioner said the negotiation helped the communities feel equal when it comes to sharing leadership slots until some elders messed it up.
Among those who were dropped but ended up winning was Yakub who bagged the Fafi parliamentary seat, defeating Osman.
Shurie also retained his Balambala seat, beating Issa Kahin was endorsed by the elders.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
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