In the sun-baked heart of northern Kenya, where clan loyalty often shapes the destiny of entire counties, the powerful Jima (Jidda Maliyu) Clan has drawn a firm line in the sand: unity before everything.
One of the largest and most influential clans within the Borana community in Isiolo, the Jima group wrapped up an intense two-day strategic meeting of its Secretariats and Council of Elders, emerging with a resolute message that is already sending ripples across Isiolo’s political landscape.
Unity as the Foundation
Led by the articulate and widely respected Jima Secretary, Ahmed Waqo Happi, the gathering was more than a routine assembly.
It was a deliberate recalibration of priorities at a time when political temperatures are beginning to rise ahead of both the looming Isiolo South by-election and the all-important 2027 general elections.
The elders and secretariat members spent hours in deep, candid deliberations, repeatedly returning to one central theme: the clan must speak with one voice.
They pledged to deepen internal cohesion through continuous consultations, shared decision-making, and a deliberate rejection of divisive tendencies that have fragmented communities in the past.
For a clan whose members are spread across Isiolo’s expansive wards and whose influence extends deep into the Borana heartlands, this renewed commitment to unity is not just symbolic — it is strategic.
Strong Political Endorsements
With internal harmony secured as the immediate priority, the Jima leadership wasted no time in declaring where its collective weight lies politically.
The clan threw its full and unequivocal support behind Abdi Ibrahim Hassan (Guyo), the sitting Governor of Isiolo County, and his entire team.
The endorsement reflects years of perceived progress under Governor Guyo’s administration in infrastructure, security, and livelihood programs that directly touch the lives of pastoralist families.
Equally emphatic was the clan’s backing for Mumina Bonaya, Isiolo’s Women Representative, and her dedicated team.
In a county where women’s voices are increasingly pivotal in shaping policy on health, education, and economic empowerment, this support underscores the Jima Clan’s recognition of inclusive leadership.
At the national level, the elders reaffirmed their steadfast loyalty to President William Ruto, openly declaring their intention to campaign for his second term.
The move signals continued alignment with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda that many in Isiolo credit with bringing tangible development to the region.
Closer home, the clan confirmed it will rally behind Tupi Mohamed Tupi in the forthcoming Isiolo South by-election, positioning him as the candidate best placed to carry the community’s aspirations in the constituency.
A Major Announcement on the Horizon
While the clan has made its current allegiances crystal clear, its leaders are careful not to rush into a full 2027 blueprint.
Ahmed Waqo Happi captured the measured approach perfectly when he addressed the gathering:
“We have agreed that unity remains our immediate priority as a clan and entire community. In the coming days, we will convene a major meeting where we shall make significant announcements regarding our political direction and engagement ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”
The statement has left political watchers intrigued. Insiders say the forthcoming grand assembly — expected to bring together broader Borana stakeholders — will go beyond endorsements to outline the clan’s red lines.
In addition to that, development demands, and possible coalition preferences as Kenya heads into what promises to be one of its most competitive election cycles in decades will ‘most likely’ be on the table.
Why This Matters for Isiolo and Beyond
In Isiolo, where clan and ethnic arithmetic can make or break political careers, the Jima Clan’s disciplined focus on unity is being viewed as a masterclass in long-game politics.
By putting its house in order first, the clan is ensuring that when it eventually speaks on 2027, its voice will carry the full authority of a consolidated bloc rather than a fractured one.
For Governor Guyo, Mumina Bonaya, and President Ruto, the endorsement is more than ceremonial — it delivers a reliable grassroots machinery in a county that has historically been a bellwether for northern Kenya’s political mood.
As the dust settles on this landmark two-day meeting, one thing is certain: the Jima (Jidda Maliyu) Clan has positioned itself not just as a participant in Isiolo’s politics, but as a deliberate architect of its future.
With unity locked in and major announcements pending, all eyes now turn to the grand meeting that will define the clan’s — and possibly the county’s — path to 2027.
The message from Isiolo is loud and clear: when the Jima Clan moves, it moves as one.
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