As Isiolo residents await Borana Council of Elders endorsement of candidates for various elective positions, political analysts have warned of a likelihood of a split of the community’s votes in the 2022 general elections.
With growing dissent over the negotiated democracy, pundits say there is a possibility of those who will be dissatisfied with the elders declaration getting into alliances with other communities for survival which will consequently affect the community’s ambitions.
Analysts have cited the Woman Rep seat as among those that the elders should leave open to avoid dividing the community whose victory for any seat will largely depend on their unity.
The contest is seen to be a two-horse race between incumbent Rehema Jaldesa and Education CAS Mumina Bonaya.
The Press Point is reliably informed that the elders are divided on who between the two should be supported with one faction supporting Ms Jaldesa’s candidature due to her incumbency political experience while another group wanting fresh leadership favouring Ms Bonaya.
Ms Bonaya recently expressed dissatisfaction in the manner which the elders were carrying out the exercise and insisted that women be on the political table to decide on elective seats that are preserved for them such as that of the Woman Rep.
The CAS then hinted on going it alone all the way to the ballot with or without the elders support like ex-EACC boss Halakhe Dida Waqo.
As things stand, if either of the duo is endorsed for the seat that has attracted a total of five aspirants, there is a likelihood of the lucky leader not garnering more than 60 percent of the community’s votes.
It is on the above premise that the elders are reportedly considering rewarding those who will miss the slots with other elective seats and or promises of nomination and employment should their preferred gubernatorial candidate emerge victorious in the August general elections.
A classical example is the Isiolo South MP seat which former Assembly Speaker Mohammed Tupi, former MP Abdullahi Banticha and Mohammed Ibrahim Nur have expressed interest in.
Two of them who will not be picked, will likely be considered for either County Secretary, Speaker or Senatorial seat following Devolution CAS Abdul Bahari’s withdrawal from the contest.
Charles Mwenda
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