DNK International By Our Correspondent,Garrisa.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the race for the Garissa Gubernatorial seat is steadily gaining momentum, with several prominent leaders positioning themselves for the highly coveted post.
Garissa County has emerged as one of the regions attracting significant political interest, with a number of aspirants already declaring their intentions.
A recent poll conducted by Microtrack Africa revealed that if elections were held today, Mohammed Shurie would emerge victorious in the gubernatorial contest.
Shurie, who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Water Resources Authority, topped the survey with 40 percent support.
“Residents of Garissa are still waiting for clan elders to decide who will carry the political flag, but from our survey, Shurie is performing exceptionally well,” the survey stated.
Many respondents cited Shurie’s previous track record as a key factor behind his popularity.
He previously served as the first CEO of the Garissa Water and Sewerage Company, where he is credited with prioritising water connectivity and improving access to water services.
Former Botswana Ambassador Mohammed Shidiye came in second with 25 percent support, followed by Senator Abdul Haji at 20 percent.
Earlier this year, during a visit to Garissa, President William Ruto appeared to indirectly endorse Haji’s candidacy.
Former Governor Ali Korane placed fourth with 10 percent support. Korane recently defected from the Jubilee Party and joined the United Democratic Alliance.
Former Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat, who is also in the race, garnered 3 percent support, while former Ijara MP Ibrahim Abass came sixth with 2 percent.
Northeastern Kenya has historically relied on negotiated democracy,a culturally rooted political arrangement in which clan elders broker power sharing agreements to promote unity, reduce political tensions, and consolidate voting blocs.
In Garissa, the Samawadhal, Abduwaq, and Awlihan clans form the tripartite foundation of the county’s political architecture, making clan negotiations a key determinant in electoral outcomes.
The contest for the Garissa governorship is also expected to be highly resource intensive.
Control of the county government means oversight of a devolved budget worth billions of shillings, funds that are critical for infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, and water management in the arid region.
[DNK-International@May 15,2026]
