Elders endorse nominated Senator Fatuma Dhullo for Isiolo seat in 2017 polls
Members of the Sakuye clan celebrate with Nominated Senator Fatuma Dhullo after she was endorsed by elders to contests for the Isiolo senate seat in the 2017 elections. PHOTO | VIVIAN JEBET | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Council chairman Hassan Galma said the incumbent senator failed to attend the meeting and was supported by only five Hayyus.
- Close associates of Senator Kuti say the seasoned politician has his eyes on the gubernatorial seat.
- The Sakuyes are among the populous Borana-speaking clans in Isiolo County.
- The elders also endorsed Mr Abdi Korupu, a businessman, to contest for the Isiolo South Constituency seat to unseat Mr Abdulahi Banticha.
The Sakuye Council of Elders has endorsed nominated Senator Fatuma Dhullo to vie for the Isiolo senate seat in 2017, locking out the incumbent Mohammed Kuti.
In the hotly contested clan nominations ahead the next polls, the elders also endorsed Mr Abdi Korupu, a businessman, to contest for the Isiolo South Constituency seat to unseat Mr Abdulahi Banticha.
The decision by Hayyus, the supreme decision making organ of the clan, was also supported by 12 sub-clan elders known as the Jallabs.
Ms Dhullo, who has been rated among the most vocal senators in the current parliament, garnered the support of 17 out of 23 Hayyus during their endorsement meeting held in Garba Tula Town.
The chairman of the council of elders Hassan Galma said the incumbent senator failed to attend the meeting and was supported by only five Hayyus.
He said Dr Kuti had previously announced his resignation from active politics on health grounds, through a memo written to Hayyus and Jallabs last April.
REASONS TO QUIT POLITICS
“The senator wrote to us explaining his reasons to quit active politics saying he was grateful for our support for the last 15 years,” said Mr Galma.
The clan has also revealed that they will not front a gubernatorial candidate for Isiolo in 2017 but will support other clans who will rally behind their two nominees for the senatorial and Isiolo South MP’s position.
The clan factor in Isiolo politics plays a major role in determining election outcomes.
For aspirants to ascend to power, they must be seconded by their clan.
POPULOUS CLAN
The Sakuyes are among the populous Borana-speaking clans in Isiolo County.
Other include Karayu, Warjida and Hawatu-Qarchaptu clans.
However, close associates of Senator Kuti say the seasoned politician has his eyes on the gubernatorial seat.
But Dr Kuti is yet to officially declare his interests.
The senator was the Isiolo North MP between 2003 and 2013 before serving as a Cabinet minister in the Narc government.
He was elected as Isiolo’s first senator in 2013 on a URP ticket.
Ms Dhullo will battle it out with the Upper Eastern Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Coordinator Mohammed Liban, who was endorsed by his Hawatu clan to vie for the senatorial seat in 2017.
