Boost for Garissa Township UDM aspirant as over 30 MCAs endorse him

Nasir Dolal Mohamed’s bid for the Garissa Township parliamentary seat on Saturday got a major boost after more than 30 MCA threw their weight behind him.

The MCAs largely from his Awliyahan clan led by the Majority leader in the county assembly Abubakar Mohamed Khalif said that they will use the remaining days to marshal as many numbers for Dolal who is commonly knowns as ‘Jofle’ by his supporters.

In Northeastern, clans play a major role in elections and it is always an added advantage to a candidate when the community and leaders rally behind him.

Garissa, a cosmopolitan constituency, is home to two major clans namely the Awliyahan and the Abduwak.

Others are the Samawadhal, corner tribes and non-locals who also have a substantial number of votes.

Khalif who represents Galbet ward, one of Nasir’s believed strongholds said that they will fully maximize the remaining days to drum up support for Dolal.

“Our gathering here as leaders from different wards and flanked by our community members residing in Garissa township ward is a clear manifestation of united we are and how determined we are to make sure that this seat is won by non-other than Nasir,” he said.

Khalif urged the constituents to fully support Nasir describing him as a visionary leader with the qualities required to transform the cosmopolitan constituency.

“It should be noted that Garissa township is not an ordinary constituency. Other than being the headquarter, it is also home to all the communities in Kenya. For that reason it requires a very mature leader who will be capable of uniting all communities and serving all equally,” he added.

On his part, Modogashe MCA Mahat Abdikadir emphasized the need for the community to remain united and rally behind Dolal saying that the seat was ‘his to lose’.

“This is the time for the great people of Garissa township to show their and support for Dolal through the ballot. He is one of their own who has been contesting with the sole intention of bringing change. They should stand with him,” Abdikadir said.

Speaking to the press Dolal expressed confidence in clinching the seat.

He said that he has the necessary experience and leadership skills to move the constituency forward describing himself as a true son of the soil who understands the needs of the people.

According to political pundits, Nasir who has been contesting for the seat since 2013 and lost narrowly to Duale stands a better chance this time round since all the nine sub-clans of his have thrown their weight behind him.

Garissa Township returning officer Abdi Yunis announced Duale of UDA as the winner with 9,905 votes while Dolal, then vying on a ODM ticket, got 5,972 votes

The Awliyahan community council of elders endorsed Nasir as their sole candidate for the seat.

“Unlike before when ‘Jofle’ has been contesting and not really getting the full backing of his clan, this time round it is different because all the elders from the nine sub-clans who call the shots have endorsed him,” said Hassan Abdi a local political analyst.

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

Other candidates who have declared interest for the seat are former Garissa governorship candidate looser Rtd Major Dekow Barrow[UDA], former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman[DP], among others

According to IEBC, Garissa township has 54,000 voters.

Immidiate former MP Aden Duale who is ow defence CS has already thrown his weight behind Barrow.