I haven’t quit, I'm in the race to win — Garissa Township candidate says

Garissa township parliamentary aspirant Feisal Amin on Thursday refuted reports that he has dropped out of the race.

Speaking to the press at a Garissa hotel after being issued with an endorsement certificate by elders from his Awliyahan clan, Amin accused opponents who have sensed defeat of being behind the misleading reports.

The ODM candidate was responding to comments from a section of leaders during a function that was meant to rally support for UDM Candidate Mohamed Nasir Dolal who claimed that the community now only has one candidate in the name of Dolal.

“Unfortunately my competitors who have decided to stoop too low have resorted to spreading lies, rumours and propaganda to my supporters that I am no longer in the race with the hope that this will have a negative effect on my side,” he said.

He added: “I want to tell all the people of Garissa township constituency that I am still in the race and they should be assured that  I am going all the way to the ballot. I have the support of literary all the communities residing here”.

Amin whose candidature received a major boost following the endorsement of the non-local communities residing in Garissa exuded confidence in winning the seat.

He urged his supporters to remain steadfast and focused to make their votes count on election day.

The ODM candidate who was among those dropped by his community in favour of Dolal of UDM  said it is time for a change, fresh ideas, new development programs and a new manifesto that is totally different from the one that people have become used to.

“I have the competence and courage to make development and prosperity a reality. When I decided to contest, it was you the people who pushed me. I want to state here categorically, that I will offer servant leadership that has been missing for decades,” he said.

On his part, Abdikadir Hussein, an elder from the Awliyahan community rallied voters behind Amin describing him as one who has all the qualities of a good leader.

“I want to appeal to the people of Garissa to kindly support Amin, in him, I see a person who will be a true servant of the people. A person the people of Garissa have been yearning for,” he said.

Walaka Livingstone Baraza who spoke on behalf of non-locals said that as residents, they were looking forward to having an MP who will serve all residents equally without nepotism or discrimination.

“The fact that Amin called us for a meeting shows that he respects us a lot. We are not used to this. We have listened to him and I must admit we are impressed by his manifesto. We will rally our people behind him,” he said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has slated the by-election for Garissa and Kandara constituencies for January 5, 2023.

The Garissa seat became vacant after former MP Aden Duale resigned to join the cabinet.

The race has attracted a total of nine candidates who were cleared by the electoral body.