Boost for Korane as Garissa religious leaders endorse his governorship bid

Former Garissa Governor Ali Korane addressing religious leaders drawn from across the county. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Former Garissa Governor Ali Korane’s quest to reclaim the county’s top seat received a significant boost on Thursday after more than 2,000 religious leaders from across the county unanimously endorsed his gubernatorial candidature.

The clerics, wield immense influence within society and heir guidance is often taken seriously by the communities they serve.

Speaking during a meeting held at Young Muslim School in Garissa Town. the religious leaders led by Sheikh Abdullahi Ali, they described Korane as a unifying figure who demonstrated inclusive leadership during his tenure as governor.

They pledged to rally behind Korane in the next general election, citing his track record in promoting unity, supporting religious institutions, and fostering peaceful coexistence among communities.

“As religious leaders, we want to thank the former governor because he reached out to us asking for our support in his quest to become governor. Having worked with him before, I can confidently say that he has our support,” said Sheikh Abdullahi.

He noted that Korane remained steadfast in supporting religious institutions during his tenure, a commitment that earned him the goodwill of clerics across the county.

“He remained steadfast in supporting our religious institutions, something that we hold so dear to our hearts,” he added.

Sheikh Ismail Bashir, on his part said the endorsement was reached after extensive consultations among the clerics.

“As religious leaders, we are known to be straightforward people and once we take a stand on any issue, it is after we have deliberated amongst ourselves. Our gathering here today is a clear manifestation that we will rally behind Governor Korane in the upcoming general elections,” he said.

Addressing the gathering, Korane who was accompanied by several MCAs and members of the Abudwak Council of Elders lauded religious leaders for their role in promoting peace, development and social cohesion.

“Religious leaders are not merely custodians of our mosques and spiritual guides to our communities; they are indispensable partners in development, peacebuilding and the socio-economic transformation of our county,” he said.

Korane said he had met the clerics to share his vision for the future of Garissa County, seek their support for his gubernatorial bid and rally support for President William Ruto’s re-election campaign.

He pledged that if elected, he would elevate the directorate into a fully-fledged department to strengthen its capacity, expand its reach and enhance services to the religious community.

Korane further promised to increase support for madrasa education through the recruitment of more teachers, improvement of learning facilities and investment in critical infrastructure to create a more conducive environment for religious learning.

He used the occasion to challenge the clerics to take a leading role in promoting peace and stability by helping address local conflicts and the growing insecurity posed by knife-wielding gangs that have recently terrorised residents of Garissa Town.

He emphasized that restoring law and order would require a collective effort involving religious leaders, local communities and government institutions working together.

A member of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Korane also used the occasion to drum up support for President Ruto’s re-election bid, saying the Head of State had demonstrated a genuine commitment to transforming the North Eastern region through development projects and progressive policies.

He urged residents who have not yet registered as voters to acquire voter cards, describing them as the most important tool for electing leaders of their choice.

“The region has the numbers needed to influence the outcome of the presidential election. Residents should take advantage of their numerical strength and participate actively in the electoral process,” he said.

The endorsement by the large gathering of clerics is likely to strengthen Korane’s political standing as he seeks to recapture the governorship seat he lost in the 2022 elections, setting the stage for what is expected to be a highly competitive contest for the county’s top job.

In Garissa and the wider North Eastern region, clerics are not only spiritual guides but also respected voices on social, political and development matters.