I have lived and worked in Mandera for five years and seen the immense value that negotiated democracy brings to our politics.
Before devolution, negotiated democracy was in its nascent stages but today it has matured and brought arch-rivals to the table to advance their stakes and standpoints on sharing of political seats.
What is happening in Azimio la Umoja and the talks in the Kenya Kwanza alliance are about sharing political stakes ahead of an election.
Suffice it to say, the Somali and wider Muslim communities in Northeastern had the foresight to adopt what even advanced communities such as Siaya are yet to practise.
In Northeastern negotiated democracy is midwifed exclusively by a select group of elders.
The only sad part of it is that women, who are competent leaders, are often sidelined or rarely accorded a chance to voice their opinion.
The reality of having to battle it out in nominations, spending fortunes and missing out on a ticket in a region where one party is dominant has forced many aspirants to seek negotiations.
Previously, those feeling cheated in primaries would defect to rival parties and vie. That window is slowly being closed.
For example, if you do not belong to a party by Saturday it will be impossible to fly that party's ticket.
ODM has announced that most of its nominations will be in April way after the doors of party membership are closed.
What this means is that there will be no defectors to other parties like before.
The only window will be through independent candidature.
Negotiated democracy however comes with its fair share of controversies.
In 2017, Mandera Governor Ali Roba was denied a chance to seek a second term.
He defied the verdict of the elders, campaigned and secured a second term, trouncing Hassan Noor Hassan who had been endorsed by elders.
Negotiated democracy has not cured the challenge of deals struck at talks not being honoured.
Some experts also argue that negotiated democracy is only potent when your team wins.
Without victory it is difficult to share positions you do not have.
Guided well and midwifed smartly, it is an emerging aspect of African democracy.
UDM secretary general spoke to the Star
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