Abdi Dubat, Garissa County governorship aspirant, addressing residents
of Saka in Balambala sub-county./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Abdikarim Osman, former Fafi MP addressing residents of
Saka./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Siyad Osman addressing residents of Saka./STEPHEN ASTARIKOAbdi Dubat, Kenya’s Consul-General in Arusha and aspirant for the Garissa gubernatorial seat, has declared he will remain in the race to the end, urging residents to rally behind him in his bid to deliver change to the county.
Addressing a mammoth crowd in Saka Ward during his first public rally on Saturday, Dubat said he was offering himself for leadership because he believes Garissa deserves better.
The former Principal Secretary in the State Department for East African Community Affairs was among five candidates dropped by the Abuduwaq Council of Elders in July. The elders instead settled on former Governor Ali Korane through a negotiated democracy process.
However, Dubat swiftly rejected the endorsement, terming it a sham, in a move that could have far-reaching consequences for the community’s political unity.
The Abuduwaq clan comprises seven sub-clans: Rer Yahya, Rer Gulled, Rer Kassim, Rer Musa, Adhan Geri, Rer Mahat, Rer Harun, and Rer Daud. Dubat hails from the Rer Kassim sub-clan, while Korane comes from Rer Yahya.
On Saturday, Dubat reiterated that he was in the race for the sole purpose of winning.
“We are not here to divide, we are here to unite. We are not enemies. We are one people. One county. One destiny. We are not here to make promises that we cannot keep; we are here to deliver on the promises that we make,” he said.
He accused past county administrations of neglect and poor service delivery, saying Garissa residents continue to suffer despite the resources allocated under devolution.
“We have witnessed a pattern of neglect, broken promises, and poor service delivery. The systems have completely broken. The hospitals we depend on no longer have drugs. Healthcare has completely collapsed. Water, a basic commodity, is unavailable even in Garissa town. Surely, we cannot continue like this,” he lamented.
Dubat said meaningful change could only be achieved if residents united in purpose and vision to reclaim the dignity and development Garissa has long yearned for.
“Since Independence, the people of Northeastern have been lamenting marginalization. We got devolution and we have been receiving a lot of money, and we are still crying of marginalization,” he noted.
He also praised President William Ruto for his commitment to inclusive governance, saying that for the first time, the people of Northeastern Kenya feel genuinely included in government.
“As people of Garissa County, we hold high offices and we would like to tell the President that for the first time we feel we are part of a government,” Dubat said. “Since independence, we have not had a government that has rewarded us with positions like yours.”
Dubat pledged full support for President Ruto’s re-election bid, saying the county’s leaders were united behind him.
“I want to assure His Excellency the President that regardless of competition among ourselves, we are united in the presidential vote,” he said.
Meanwhile, Siyad Osman urged the UDA party to ensure free and fair nominations, warning that direct nominations could weaken the party’s chances in Garissa. His remarks followed UDA’s recent endorsement of Korane, who defected from Jubilee and was issued a nomination certificate by top party officials, including Chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Secretary General Hassan Omar.
“We love the President and we marshal our people to ensure he is re-elected. However, we request that he ensures there is a free and fair nomination. He should not allow a few individuals to destroy the party that is loved by all,” Osman said.
Former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman also called for new leadership, arguing that Garissa’s development had stagnated due to recycling of leaders. He urged residents to register as voters, saying it was the only way to bring about the much-needed change.
