By Abdimalik Hajir
GARISSA – Former governor Nathif Jama who today took aoth of office bounce back to Garissa county helm riding on regime change platforms.
He trounced three other candidates including incumbent Ali Korane of jubilee whose political star seemed to have dimmed after desertion by former political allies.
Jama was declared winner for gubernatorial seat after garnering a total votes of 69,342 against Korane who managed 26,148 votes.
The former governor campaigned and rode on his past records during his tenure as county chief from 2017 promising to jumpstart the deteriorating health sector and water.
His main challenges now as he take oath of office is to tackle the most critical departments in the devolved functions, Garissa health have faced with numerous challenges with several times medics downing the tools over poor working conditions.
“It’s sad that today Garissa referral hospital has no necessary drugs even painkillers are not there, during out time we received several awards for improving healthcare for our people,” he said during campaigns trails.
Jama also managed to trounce his arch political rival because of his alliance with Senator Abdul Haji, the son of late former senator and longtime politician Yussuf Haji.
In 2017, Haji senior made an alliance with Korane’s Abduwak clan to form Tolomoge Alliance that unseat Nathif and also propel most jubilee elected members including the women representative to power.
Abdul Haji who is seemingly trying bolster himself and fit his father’s political shoe delivered his vote rich Samawathal clan that has acted swing vote in the last two elections.
The former county chief also won on Azimio la umoja goodwill with most other elected politicians backing his bid under the umbrella of Raila Odinga’s Azimio la umoja, Farah Maalim of Wiper was amongst such seasoned politician.
In the run down to election day, it was clear that Korane couldn’t be salvage his political image as senior official including his deputy Abdi Dagane jump shit to joined Mr Jama’s come back.
The Deputy Governor who was also sworn with Mr Jama had a frosty relationship with his boss at one point exchanging bitter words in public forums, his samathal clan supported his bid to jump ship and be a running mate for former Governor.
