Garissa’s Audhaq clan elders settle on Ambassador Dubat as 2027 governor candidate

Abdi Dubat, the consul general in Arusha and aspirant for the Garissa governor seat is crowned after being declared the sole Authaq candidate to vie for the position./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Zeinab Duntow speaking at the event./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman speaking at the event./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Clans in Garissa County have kicked off early preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the influential Audhaq council of elders becoming the first to endorse a gubernatorial candidate.

In a declaration led by Sultan Dekow Sambul, the council endorsed Abdi Dubat, currently Kenya’s Consul-General in Arusha, as the preferred flag bearer for the governor's seat.

The decision follows a consultative vetting process involving five aspirants from within the Audhaq community.

Dubat’s endorsement means former Garissa Governor Ali Korane and Water Resources Authority CEO Mohamed Shurie—both from the same clan—will not be in the running under the Audhaq banner.

The Audhaq clan consists of seven sub-clans: Rer Yahya, Rer Gulled, Rer Kassim, Rer Musa, Adhan Geri, Rer Mahat, Rer Harun, and Rer Daud.

Like in many parts of northern Kenya, clan dynamics play a central role in electoral politics. Endorsements from clan elders often shape political outcomes, helping to manage inter-clan competition by distributing key seats among various communities.

Dubat, who hails from the Rer Kassim sub-clan and previously served as Principal Secretary in the State Department for East African Community Affairs, expressed gratitude for the endorsement.

“I am deeply honoured and humbled to receive the endorsement of Sultan Dekow Sambul and the Audhaq community to run for Governor of Garissa County in 2027,” Dubat said.

“This moment is not just personal—it is a defining step for our community after a peaceful and transparent selection process.”

He lauded his fellow aspirants for their grace and commitment, saying they were “not just competitors but brothers, united in the desire for a better Garissa.”

Dubat, an accomplished audit and tax expert, pledged to bring both grassroots insight and policy experience into his leadership.

He criticided past administrations for failing to deliver tangible development despite the substantial funds the county has received since devolution began.

“For 13 years, we have received billions, yet we still talk about marginalization. The problem is not lack of resources—it’s poor leadership,” he said.

“We are marginalising ourselves. It’s time we elect leaders who will work for the people.”

He promised to prioritise health, water, livestock, agriculture, and education—sectors he said have long been neglected.

Former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman echoed the need for unity, warning that internal divisions would benefit rival clans in the upcoming race.

Zeinab Duntow, a vocal community member, urged the youth to apply for national IDs and register as voters. “The real journey begins now,” she said. “We must remain united, vigilant, and ready.”

With the Audhaq endorsement now settled, Dubat will face candidates from other clans in what is expected to be a competitive race for the Garissa governorship.