By Adow Jubat
The battle line for the quest for the coveted Garissa Gubernatorial seat has been drawn yesterday, after the elders of larger Abduwak sub-clan has unanimously endorsed Ali Bunow Korane to face off the incumbent Nathif Jama in 2017.
Korane narrowly lost to Jama in 2013 election, after schism within his Abdulwak clan saw them fielding two candidates against the sitting governor who is from Auliyan sub-clan.
He later petitioned the election Jama over claims of electoral malpractices, he however lost in the petition.
In ceremony attended by hundreds of supporters and Abdulwak political leaders from the county at Bour argy Primary school, the clan elders handed over a traditional walk stick to Korane which signifies anointment to seek gubernatorial slot.
Garissa County is exclusively dominated by Ogaden Somali community and they are sub divided into three major sub-clans namely: Abdulwak, Auliyan and Samawathal.
The votes that will decide who will be the next governor of Garissa is with Samawathal sub-clan. In family lineage Sama are the siblings of Abdulwak.
However, whether this blood relation will be turn into votes for Korane bid will be determined by the running mate he will pick.
The county leaders who included the majority leader of the national assembly Aden Duale and Balambala MP Abdikhadir Aden vowed to vigorously mobilized supporters around the county to ensure Korane clutch the seat he lost on a knife edge last general election.
The former ambassador was picked by his Abdulwak council of elders in intense ongoing clan nominations happening in Northeastern region ahead of the 2017 general elections.
Korane strongly criticized Governor Nathif Jama for alleged incubating widespread corruption in his administration, which has led to absence of service delivery to the residents which are suffering from basic necessities such water, good health care and factional infrastructure, which he noted were available before devolution came to effect.
"It is unfortunate that people are unable to get clean water from their taps and medical services from the local health facilities. These were services which were even available during unitary system when people were complaining of lack of decentralized resources. It beats logic people to go thirsty or sick when the county receives 7 billion annual from the national coffers," He said.
He added: "The Garissa County has been turned into "feeding trough” by the current leadership and their few cronies. If elect I promise to wed out corruption from the devolved system so as our people live in more dignified life,"
Amb. Korane accused Garissa county administrator of a runaway corruption, which he alleged has lead to collapse of the anticipated dreams of devolution by the local people. People in Garissa thought devolved governance will make their lives better than when they were under the former centralized political system but the thing got worse for them due to dysfunctional leadership.
The former long servicing Provincial Administrator said: "Garissa resident have not tested the fruits of devolution almost 4 years down the lane, all monies intended for devolved functions have been misappropriated by less than 20 people, they have failed to provide crucial functions such as provision of clean and affordable water ,"
Majority leader in the national assembly Aden Duale who have been the critic of Mr Jama's administration said they are hopeful that Korane will emerge winner in 2017 polls so that the county is 'saved' from the current crises.
"As the political leaders of this county we are going to mobilize our resources and fully campaign for Korane so this county is saved from the current crises, the current administration has totally failed, all contractors and service providers are now crying because they have not been paid," said the Garissa town lawmaker.
The event was presided over by the clan Sultan Dekow Maalim Sambul and attended by religious and political leaders led Aden Duale (Garissa town), Elyas Bare Shill (Fafi), Abdikadir Aden (Balambala) Abdinoor Mohamed (Nominated Mp) and members of Garissa County assembly.
Balambala Mp Abdikadir Aden applaud Korane for emerging winner at the clan primaries saying his constituency will give unconditional support to ensure he secures the governorship in the next elections.
The lawmaker at the same used the opportunity to tell Korane to join Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to be its flag bearer in the county.
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