Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has endorsed Mohamed Barrow Dekow to be the next Garissa Township Member of Parliament.
Confirmed reports indicate that Dekow is Aden Duale’s brother-in-law.
Speaking after a consultative meeting by the Abduwak clan that was held at Garissa Hotel, Duale urged professionals and leaders from the clan to support him as he was one of their own.
The seat fell vacant after Duale who had retained his seat in the August 9, elections resigned after he was named Cabinet Secretary for defense.
The clan’s endorsement of Aden Duale’s brother-in-law appears to complicate matters for other candidates from the same clan, including former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman and other four aspirants.
Others eying the seat include Mulki Warsane, a loser in the race for a woman representative, and Mohamed Gabow.
Osman told the Daily Nation that the endorsement of Dekow has little influence in the mini-polls and that the people of Garissa will on December 5 make their choices on the ballot.
“The endorsement means nothing to me and that is the dynasty theory that we have been dealing with politically. It will end by the people of Garissa electing me as their area Member of Parliament,” Osman said.
Barrow’s endorsement means he will contest for the seat on President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket.
The endorsement of Dekow, who is touted as the front-runner contradicts Kenya Kwanza’s repeated criticism of politicians endorsing family members.
Last month, DP Rigathi Gachagua accused ODM and Wiper leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka of rewarding family members with plum political jobs at the Arusha-based parliament.
“These people who want our children to go to the street have organized for their children to serve in East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha,” Gachagua said.
