Duale intensifies campaigns for Dekow ahead of Garissa polls

Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale has intensified campaigns in Garissa to drum up support for UDA’s candidate Mohamed Dekow.

On Wednesday, Duale together with Dekow met religious leaders from Garissa Township   Ahead of the January 5, 2023 by-election.

“Today, we met religious leaders from Garissa Township Constituency who promised not only to pray for Major Mohamed but cast their votes for him on the material day,” he said.

The CS  said Dekow Was best for the seat, adding that he knows his roles and would unite all communities.

The seat fell vacant in October when  Duale was appointed Defence Cabinet Secretary.

Duale has since endorsed Dekow to succeed him.  

Dekow, had contested for the Garissa governorship seat in the August polls on a UDA ticket but emerged third

He has received massive support from the powerful Awdhaq community, politicians, professionals and community members who have also endorsed Dekow.

Two other aspirants, Abdullahi Gabane and Abdirizack Sirat of the Wiper Party dropped their bid for the seat in favor of  Dekow.

The moves were as a result of negotiated democracy that has taken root in northern Kenya politics.

Six candidates have been cleared by the electoral agency to vie for the Garissa Township parliamentary by-election.

Dekow (UDA), Nassir Mohamed Dolal alias Jofle (UDM), Ibrahim Malow (Narc Kenya), Muhiadin Abdirashid (DAP-K), Abdifaisal Amin (ODM) and Mr Abdikarim Osman (DP) have got the nod from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to try their luck for seat.

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

Clan-based politics are expected to play out as the registered 54,000 voters go to the ballot on January 5.

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.

The Samawadhal sub-clan is not supporting any candidate but is keen on a political marriage with the Abduwak and Awliyahan sub-clans.