The campaign to succeed Mandera Governor Ali Roba as the county leader has heated up, with five contenders announcing their interest.
Mohamed Khalif, the Speaker of the Mandera County Assembly, announced his candidacy on Sunday, a day after former East African Community Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed got endorsement to run for the position.
Mandera Governor Ali Roba gathered representatives from a portion of the Garre Community, drawn from the Quranyow clan, to back Mandera County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Khalif’s candidacy in the Bomas of Kenya.
Khalif who is vying for the seat under Roba’s United Democratic Movement party is among five aspirants who have declared their interest in the seat to replace Roba who is eyeing the Senate seat.
Read: Ex-EACC Boss Halakhe Waqo in Race for Isiolo Governor Seat
“We have taken a decision to endorse the candidate of the Asare family and specifically my brother Mohamed Adan Khalif ,” Ali Roba, the Governor Mandera county said.
Former East African Community Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed officially launched his gubernatorial campaign the day before Khalif at Sir Ali Muslim Club, which was attended by political figures and community elders.
“I will not let you down, I’m going to serve the people of Mandera with the conviction and the experience that I have,” Mohameed Khalif said.
After a failed attempt at mediated democracy, the battle for the seat is being fought along clan lines.
Read Also: Boni Khalwale: Bull Fighter Seeking To Treat Kakamega County as Governor
Current County Speaker Mohammed Aden Khalif, Senator Mohamoud Maalim, Feisal Abass, and Former Education CAS Hassan Noor all come from the Quranyow tribe, whilst Former Cabinet Secretary Aden Mohamed is from Roba’s Tuuf clan, which has held the office for the past 10 years.
The fact that three of the candidates are related is also a factor; Aden Mohamed and Senator Mohamed Maalim are cousins, and Feisal Abass is the former cabinet secretary’s brother-in-law.
The Azimio la Umoja Movement has received the endorsement of all five candidates.
1 thought on “Three Relatives Declare Interest in the Mandera Governor Seat”