Garissa senator and Governorship aspirant Abdul Haji in
Modogashe town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun and Garissa Senator Abdul Haji have differed over a proposed political arrangement involving the Samawadhal and Awlihan communities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The ODM lawmaker has declared her intention to contest for the Garissa Woman Representative seat, while Haji is seeking the governor’s position.
Speaking during a women empowerment programme in Modogashe town, Haji rallied residents to support his gubernatorial bid, saying he remained confident of victory.
The senator outlined what he described as a political arrangement between the Samawadhal and Awlihan communities.
"We the Samawadhal, in the coalition that we have with our brothers the Awlihan, the seat that we are going for is the governorship. The senator and the woman representative seats will go to our coalition partners," Haji told the crowd.
He said the arrangement would see the Samawadhal community field the governor, while the Awlihan community would produce, among others, the deputy governor, senator and woman representative.
Haji also said his community was willing to support the Awlihan community in seeking the Garissa Township parliamentary seat.
"And let me publicly announce it here, even the Garissa Township seat, we are ready to collaborate with this community," he said.
The Garissa Township MP seat is currently held by Dekow Barrow of the Abduwak clan. The constituency is inhabited by members of the Awlihan, Abduwak and Samawadhal communities, alongside other minority communities.
Haji’s remarks drew criticism from Harun, who said no individual had the authority to determine the fate of elective positions.
"My gubernatorial bid and your woman representative bid are separate entities," she wrote on her Facebook page.
"I have never supporte or endorsed any gubernatorial candidate because of the respect I have for every aspirant across the county. I have individually sought votes from all of them. I seek my votes from the people because they are the ultimate decision-makers besides Allah."
Harun said she had secured endorsement from elders in her community through the same forum that endorsed Haji’s gubernatorial bid.
She argued that it was wrong for the senator to publicly suggest that the Samawadhal community had relinquished interest in the Woman Representative position.
"To stand in Modogashe and declare the aspirations, hopes and dreams of the Samawadhal null and void is not just shameful but selfish. It also tells us that you do not believe in the very elders that endorsed you," she said.
Harun said Haji was attempting to negotiate a seat that belonged to the electorate.
"If the Samawadhal community asked me to step down, I would do so. But it is in their wisdom that they saw it fit for the community to contest the woman representative seat. Stop auctioning this seat in your coalition agenda. Consult your elders; they will guide you accordingly," she said.
Harun said Haji was not the community’s spokesperson despite being the flag bearer for the governor’s race.
Garissa senator and gubernatorial aspirant Abdul Haji interacting with women in Modogashe town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Garissa senator and gubernatorial aspirant Abdul Haji addressing
residents of Modogashe town during a women empowerment program. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Garissa senator and gubernatorial aspirant Abdul Haji interacting with residents of Modogashe town. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
