Korane said his vision was to build a county government that accommodates the interests of all communities, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds

Garissa gubernatorial aspirant Ali Korane addressing members of the Ajuran community residing in Garissa.

Former Garissa Governor Ali Korane has pledged to unite all communities in the county and restore what he termed honest, accountable and inclusive leadership if elected governor in next year's general election.

He said Garissa's diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a source of political division.

He spoke when he separately met members of the Ajuran and Borana communities who reside in Garissa. The communities endorsed his gubernatorial bid and pledged to rally behind him during the election.

The former governor expressed gratitude for the community's continued support, saying their relationship was founded on mutual trust, shared aspirations and a common commitment to the development of Garissa.

"My vision is to bring every community aboard in our collective pursuit of restoring honest, accountable and inclusive leadership in our devolved government. Garissa belongs to all of us, and its future must be shaped by all of us," Korane said.

He said the Ajuran community is integral to Garissa's social and political fabric, noting that the county's identity and strength were anchored in the contributions of all indigenous and resident communities.

Korane called on political leaders and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, warning against rhetoric that can create divisions.

"Even as campaigns hit fever pitch, we should all remember that we are brothers and sisters and that politics should never divide us. Let us all campaign peacefully and ensure no one engages in politics that could in any way divide our people," he said.

He urged the communities to take an active role in mobilising their families, friends and neighbours to register as voters and turn out in large numbers on polling day.

“Our region must overcome voter apathy and translate its numerical strength into meaningful participation in the democratic process. It is our democratic right, one which we must fully exercise,” he said.

The Ajuran and Borana endorsement adds to Korane's growing political engagements as he seeks to reclaim the gubernatorial seat he lost to Nathif Jama in the 2022 general election.

His bid recently received a boost following the decision by fellow Abduwak aspirant Moulid Mohamed Shurie to step down in his favour, potentially consolidating support within a community whose votes could otherwise have been split.

The race for Garissa's top seat is shaping up to be a competitive contest, with several political heavyweights positioning themselves for the contest with community-based alliances expected to play a significant role in determining the outcome.

Among the key contenders is Korane, who has since joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Senator Abdul Haji, who has been fronted by the Samawadhal community as its preferred gubernatorial candidate.

Jama, who is serving his final term, is also expected to remain influential in the county's succession politics, although he has been picked by the emerging Samawadhal-Awliyahan alliance to contest the Senate seat.

The political landscape has also been reshaped by efforts among the Awliyahan and Samawadhal communities to establish a joint political arrangement aimed at consolidating their respective voting blocs and sharing elective positions.

Under the agreement, the Samawadhal community has been allocated the gubernatorial ticket, while the Awliyahan have been allocated the deputy governor, Senate and Women Representative positions.

The alliance has settled on Abdul Haji as its gubernatorial candidate, with current Libahsigale Ward MCA Mohamed Sheikh selected as his running mate.

Former Garissa Woman Representative Shukran Gure has also been endorsed as the alliance's sole candidate for the Women Representative seat, while Governor Jama has been picked to fly its Senate flag.

The arrangement is seen as an attempt by the two communities to avoid splitting their votes through competing candidates and instead present a coordinated political front in the 2027 elections.

Timira Bashir, an ODM-nominated MCA and a member of the Ajuran community.

Garissa gubernatorial aspirant Ali Korane with members of the Borana community.