Former Garissa Governor Nathif Jamah’s bid to recapture the seat has received a major boost after Kenya’s ambassador to Botswana Mohammed Shidiye dropped his did.

There had been intense pressure from the Ahulian clan elders for Shidiye to step down in favour of Nathif whom they endorsed in early 2021.

Endorsement of clan elders in North Eastern is a key determining factor as the majority of candidates usually end up clinching the seat.

The Ahulian together with Abduwaq and Samawathal are the three largest clans in Garissa County that produce the top seats of Governor, Senator and Woman rep.

While announcing the council of elders’ decision to settle on the former governor as their community’s flag bearer for governor in the August 9 general election, Aulian Sultan Hamud Sheik said that Nathif is free to seek support from other clans.

“We are now united as a community and going forward we are also going to negotiate with other clans to seek their support. We also urge our people wherever they are to register as voters if we are to recapture the seat,” Hamud said.

Nathif on his part termed the council’s resolution to endorse him as an honour and promised to unite the 9 sub-clans with the sole aim of ‘getting back the seat’.

The former governor hailed ambassador Shidiye for shelving his ambition ‘and putting the interest of the community first’.

He also urged Garissa residents to register as voters in the ongoing 2nd last round of the enhanced voter registration that kicked off on January 17. The exercise will come to a close on February 6.

“The most important thing now is for our people to register as voters during this second phase of mass voter registration. I will be seeking support from all the people of Garissa ahead of the polls,” Nathif said.

Nathif will now face off with incumbent Governor Ali Korane and Major (retired) Dekow Haji both from the Abduwaq clan.

KNA.