Clan politics may decide the outcome of Wajir by-election

By Boniface Ongeri and Adow Jubat　

With only three days before the Wajir South by-election, issues surrounding proper Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management, water and medical services provision hold key to the October 13 contest.

The expansive constituency faces a serious water shortage. “We face a water crisis and we need a leader who can use CDF money well to harness rainwater for human and livestock use,” said Ahmed Jelle, a local herdsman.

For Mrs Abushira Siyat, health facilities and provision of essential drugs and health are issues of greater concern.

Residents share the same culture, nomadic lifestyles, and religion as members of the Ogaden clan.

However, the constituents divisions along sub-clan lines have always baffled outsiders. Loyalty has been perfected along sub-clan enclaves in times of joy and sorrow.

The four major clans in the area, Mohamed Suwer, Magabul, Bagheri and Gheri, have been categorised in order of prominence depending on who is in Government or representing the constituency.

Clannism is well pronounced during political contests for leadership and the by-election offers yet another opportunity regardless of ability and credentials.

Clan balancing has been the reason for the constituency bedevilled by unemployment, poor infrastructure, water scarcity, and drought that claim human and animal lives.

Already, there are signs development and issue-based politics will be abandoned for clan loyalty in the by-election.

The seat has attracted seven candidates, Abdurahaman Hassan Ali (Kanu) whose election was nullified over election anomalies and Mohammud Mahammud Sirat (ODM-Kenya), the petitioner.

Swing votes

Others are Abdullahi Bulale (Narc), Ahmed Ali Mukthar (National Agenda Party), Abdirizak Mohammed Ibrahim (Liberal Party), Nur Adan Awil (National Vision Party) and Omar Ibrahim Hanshi (Mkenya Solidarity Movement).

Mr Hanshi has since withdrawn from the race in a letter to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

The Bagheri clan has never claimed the seat since 1969 when one of their own Abdullahi A Abdullahi was elected.

MPs from the Magabul and Mohamed Suwer clans have been at the helm interchangeably.

Ali is a Mohamed Suwer.

They have always provided swing votes or acted as spoilers for other clans. But this could be a chance for one of their own capture the seat. Sirat is from the Bagheri clan.

Also bound to play an important role is the ODM-Kenya Nominated MP Mohammed Affey factor. Affey has campaigned for Sirat telling residents the party has good tidings. Mr Affey is a Magabul.

The race is largely between Ali and Sirat and not political parties supremacy as parties here are reduced to canoes to cross to the other side of the river.

Nevertheless, Kanu will be fighting to get hold of one of its remaining seats in the province.