Mandera, Kenya| Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan (Guyo) has thrown his weight behind President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), declaring that the region will support the party and its leader in the upcoming general election.
His remarks have sparked political tremors in Mandera, where the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has long enjoyed dominance.
Speaking during the official commissioning of the UDA Party offices in Mandera County, Governor Guyo urged local leaders and residents to abandon what he termed as “nondescript village parties” and instead align themselves with UDA, which he described as a formidable national outfit with the capacity to bring tangible development to the region.
His speech, marked by fiery rhetoric and sharp political jabs, drew widespread applause from the large crowd that had gathered for the event.
Ruto’s Development Record in Northern Kenya
Governor Guyo heaped praise on President Ruto and his administration, lauding them for prioritizing development in the historically marginalized northern region.
He pointed out that past governments had largely ignored pastoralist communities, but Ruto, being one himself, understands the unique challenges they face.
“The President has demonstrated a rare commitment to our people. For decades, we were sidelined, but now, under his leadership, we are seeing major projects taking shape,” Guyo said.
He singled out the Isiolo-Mandera Highway as one of the transformative infrastructure projects that have significantly improved connectivity and economic prospects in the region.
Emphasizing the need for unity, Guyo urged local leaders to rally behind UDA, stating that a fragmented political front would only hinder the region’s progress.
“We must come together under one strong national party to secure more resources and development for our people,” he asserted.
Guyo’s Political Clout and Mentorship
The event also highlighted Guyo’s influence as a political mentor. Mohamed Abdikheir, who is the member of National Assembly representing the Lafey Constituency, one of the key speakers, publicly acknowledged the governor’s role in shaping his political career.
He reminisced about their time in Nairobi County, where Guyo served as the Majority Leader in the County Assembly while he was a Chief Officer.
He credited Guyo with helping him secure the Chief Officer position in the Nairobi County Government and for advocating for the interests of northern Kenya even while based in the capital.
UDM’s Growing Concerns Over UDA’s Inroads
Guyo’s strong stance in favor of UDA has rattled the leadership of UDM, a party that has traditionally enjoyed massive support in Mandera and the greater northern region.
UDM, also known as “Korbes”, is led by former Mandera Governor Captain Ali Roba, who has already expressed concerns about UDA’s aggressive expansion in the region.
Governor Guyo took a direct swipe at UDM, albeit without naming it explicitly, dismissing it as a “village party” that should be disbanded in favor of UDA.
His remarks were met with loud cheers, signaling a shifting political tide in Mandera.
Political observers argue that Guyo’s influence and the UDA blitz in the region could significantly weaken UDM’s grip, especially with an upcoming parliamentary by-election in one of Mandera’s constituencies.
Speculation is rife that UDM may opt not to field a candidate in the by-election to avoid a potentially humiliating defeat at the hands of UDA.
Showdown in Kenya Kwanza: UDA vs UDM?
Despite UDM and UDA being part of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, tensions between the two parties appear to be escalating.
Governor Guyo’s public statements indicate that UDA is keen on consolidating its dominance in northern Kenya, a move that could put Ali Roba and his party in a precarious position.
Political analysts are now questioning Roba’s next move—will he dissolve UDM and merge it with UDA for the sake of political survival, or will he fight to retain his party’s relevance in the region?
Adding another layer of political intrigue, Governor Guyo also took a veiled jab at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, warning him that his “shenanigans” have no place in northern Kenya.
His remarks further cemented the perception that the region is fully behind President Ruto.
With the political temperature rising and key elections looming, all eyes are on Mandera to see how the battle between UDA and UDM unfolds.
Will Governor Guyo’s aggressive push for UDA reshape the region’s political landscape, or will UDM mount a strong resistance?
Stay tuned to ICBNews for real-time updates on this unfolding political drama.
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