By Betty Luke
Chama Cha Kazi’s Isiolo North MP aspirant Osman Shariff Abukar has been cleared by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to vie for the seat that has attracted 16 contestants.
The exercise at Isiolo town Catholic Church hall was marred with delays occasioned by network hitches with several Independent candidates including incumbent MP Hassan Odha advised to wait until tomorrow (Monday).
MP aspirants running on Independent tickets must submit to the electoral agency 1000 signatures of voters not registered to any political party which must be screened before the candidate is cleared to run.
Shortly after receiving the certificate from Isiolo North IEBC Returning officer Jackson Limaris, Mr Shariff lauded his supporters who accompanied him for the clearance and warned his competitors of a fierce political duel.
“Having been cleared to vie for Isiolo North MP seat, we will now hit the ground and share our agenda with the residents,” he said.
Mr Shariff condemned afternoon’s chaos at the gate to the IEBC centre that arose after some of supporters allied to one of his rivals turned rowdy forcing police officers to fire in the air to disperse them.
“I am asking our opponents to contain their supporters during campaigns because what we witnessed today is sad,” he said while promising to engage in peaceful campaigns.
His leadership, he said, will focus on among others education, security, jobs creation and empowerment for improved livelihoods.
“I will also inject my business expertise into the leadership to grow our local economy,” he assured.
The MP aspirant asked Isiolo residents to remain united and shun leaders propagating hatred and divisions.
“Politics will come and go but we will remain brothers and sisters regardless of the leaders we support. Let’s us maintain peace before, during and after elections,” he appealed.
Mr Shariff launched his manifesto two weeks ago becoming the first to do in Isiolo County.
