COUNTY POLITICS: Negotiated democracy to influence contest for Wajir governor’s seat

Negotiated democracy will play a major role on who becomes the next governor of Wajir in this year's General Election.

Through this system, elders from various clans pick their favourite candidates and after consultation, agree on how to share the seats.

During the 2013 General Election, the governor’s seat was reserved for the Degodia clan, with the deputy being given to their Arjuran counterparts. The Ogaden clan was given the senatorial seat.

This year, three aspirants have already been endorsed by their respective clans to join the gubernatorial race.

They include Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, former Kenyan ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammed Abdi and Mr Ahmed Muhumed from Wajir South.

However, a fourth aspirant, Mr Salah Abdi Sheikh is of the opinion that negotiated democracy should not be used to determine leaders in the region.

According to him, residents should be left to decide who their leaders are. It is based on this argument that he has decided to contest the seat.

“I have thrown my hat in the ring despite the fact that I have not had any clan endorsements. This system hinders development,” he adds.

He says his aim is to take more resources to the grassroots.

'SOCIAL WELFARE'

“I also intend to create social welfare for children. This, I’m sure, will enable me win votes,” he goes on.

Governor Abdullahi on the other hand hopes to retain his seat on the account of his development record.

The governor, who was elected on an ODM ticket, for instance cites the construction of a 28km tarmac road, the first of its kind in the northern frontier county, as one of his major successes.

Mr Abdullahi’s administration has also improved health facilities, equipped them, recruited personnel and established a medical training school.

Ambassador Abdi believes his focus on women empowerment will boost his quest for the top county seat.

Mr Muhumed, on the other hand is also counting on the support of a large number of voters from his Wajir South Constituency to win the contest.

The race for the seat recently took an interesting turn after two rival groups from the Degodia clan held separate meetings to endorse their preferred candidates.

In one meeting held at Sunrise Secondary School and attended by Wajir West MP Abdikadir Ore and Woman Rep Fatuma Ibrahim, leaders backed Governor Abdullahi re-election. The governor was first endorsed by the Degodia on January 19.

The other meeting was held at Sheikh Ibrahim Farm along the Wajir-Mandera Highway which was attended by MPs Adan Keynan and Mohammed Elmi, who recently defected to Jubilee, rallied behind Mr Abdi.