Last month, Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale endorsed Mohamed Barrow Dekow to be the next Garissa Township Member of Parliament.
Dekow, who was seeking the seat on President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, is Aden Duale’s brother-in-law.
The clan’s endorsement of Aden Duale’s brother-in-law appeared to complicate matters for other candidates from the same clan, including former Fafi MP Abdikarim Osman and other four aspirants.
Barrow, who had the blessings of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale defied the prediction in the region where clan politics play a central role in elective seats.
On Friday, January 6, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared Aden Duale’s relative as the next MP for Garissa Township.
Garissa Township Constituency Returning Officer Abdi Yunis Mohamed declared Barrow the next MP after he garnered 11, 572 votes in the by-election held on Thursday, January 5.
“I am delighted and grateful to all. I shall serve the electorate fairly in this constituency,” he said after IEBC declared him the winner early Friday morning.
Nassir Dolal of the UDM party polled 8, 158 votes to finish second while Ibrahim Malow of the Narck Kenya party emerged third after garnering 840 votes.
Other candidates were Abdikhaim Osman Mohamed of DP, Ibrahim Nur Malow Shurie (Narc_Kenya), Abdifaisal Amin (ODM), and Muhiadin Ahmed Abdirashid (DAP_Kenya).
While conceding a defeat, UDM candidate Nassir said he lost due to lack of local support.
“My competitor had all the support from every corner. I have accepted his win and I will support him,” he said.
The seat fell vacant after then MP Aden Duale resigned after President William Ruto nominated him for consideration into the Kenya Kwanza Cabinet.
Apart from Garissa Township, President Ruto’s UDA party won the Kandara parliamentary seat and Elgeyo Marakwet senatorial by-election.
