Garissa 2027 governor race takes shape as Senator Haji courts Awliyahan support

by STEPHEN ASTARIKOMonday May 18, 2026

Garissa governorship aspirant Abdulkadir Haji with Sultan Hamud Sheikh of the Awliyahan clan./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The contest for Garissa governor in 2027 is already gathering momentum, with Senator Abdul Haji making a direct appeal to the influential Awliyahan community in a development that could alter the county’s political arithmetic.

At a symbolic ceremony held on Saturday at a Garissa hotel, the two-term senator, who comes from the Samawadhal community, officially presented his application to the Awliyahan council of elders, underscoring a widening political understanding between the two clans ahead of the closely watched race.

The meeting drew hundreds of elders, professionals, religious leaders and residents from both communities, with prominent elders led by Awliyahan Sultan Hamud Sheikh and Samawadhal Sultan Hassan Omar Shurie presiding over the event.

Speaking to the gathering, Haji said the gesture was an important effort to build consensus and reinforce unity across Garissa County.

“I want to reiterate the importance of unity among communities residing in Garissa County. Cohesion and brotherhood remain key pillars in our fight against poverty, underdevelopment and divisive tribal politics,” he said.

The senator, who was endorsed by the Samawadhal community in February as its preferred gubernatorial candidate, said he would accept whatever outcome the Awliyahan elders ultimately reach.

“I want to give an assurance that I am ready to abide by the decision that will be arrived at by the Awlihan council of elders. If in the event they decide to settle on someone else, I am ready to live with that decision, and I will continue working with our elders,” he said.

Haji further criticised what he described as a growing trend of personal insults directed at elders from both communities and the leaders involved in the political talks.

“It is unfortunate that some politicians have resorted to personal attacks and name-calling. They even don’t have respect for our elders who sit in the council of elders from the two communities,” he said.

He said the partnership taking shape between the two communities was rooted in development and the fight against poverty, not in narrow personal ambitions.

Awliyahan Sultan Hamud Sheikh, addressing the meeting, said the elders had formally received Haji’s application and would now consult the nine Awliyahan sub-clans before issuing a final position.

“We have four sons from our Awlihan clan who already presented their applications to the council, and then there is Abdul from the Samawadhal clan who is also seeking our support. We will arrive at a decision and share it with our community members on the direction we will have decided to take,” he said.

Falhada Iman welcomed the latest move, saying it reflected a preference for cooperation over confrontation.

“When two communities choose unity over division, they build a coalition strong enough to shape the future together,” she said.

The gathering also featured the unveiling of a memorandum of understanding intended to guide the two communities if they formally decide to pursue political cooperation.

Among those in attendance were Farah Maalim, Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane and former MPs Mohamed Hire and Mohamed Dahiye.

Political observers say the latest manoeuvres could carry major weight in the 2027 governor’s race, where clan alignments are expected to be a decisive factor.

Other names being linked to the contest include former Governor Ali Korane, former Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat, former Ijara MP Ibrahim Abass, WARMA CEO Moulid Shurie and former Lagdera MP Shidiye.