By Betty Luke
Isiolo Deputy Governor Dr Abdi Issa has hinted on possibility of seeking a ‘higher’ elective post in 2022 general elections.
The leader set tongues wagging after he declared that he will seek a higher position presenting a likelihood of battling it out with his boss Mohammed Kuti.
Dr Issa has since 2018 when he was stripped of his powers as the Health Executive lamented over being sidelined by Governor Kuti in running of the government and slashing of his budget among other issues.
The leader said he will never again be someone’s deputy not “while alive or dead”.
“I will never again want to be a Deputy Governor, not in this life and that to come… You all know why,” seemingly angry Dr Issa said during a recent interview.
His intention to seek a higher post, he said, was to independently serve the county residents without any interference and control development for improved services and livelihoods.
He said he was consulting with people and friends across the county and country before making an official announcement later this month.
“Wide consultations on how we will propel the county to the next level are underway and we will after conclusions are done, tell our people the way forward,” he said.
Early this week, Dr Issa said he will on or after December 11 give a “full and unreserved account of his time in office” as a Deputy Governor saying it was a never to miss opportunity for Isiolo residents.
“The issue of me never again standing for the post of Deputy Governor will then be unveiled,” he shared on his Facebook page last Friday.
His announcement comes five months after his community said it would field candidates for higher positions including that of the Governor.
The Press Point is aware that the Somali community elders, who have severally complained over mistreatment of Dr Issa and Mohammed Guleid by the current Dr Kuti and former Governor Godana Doyo respectively, are divided on whether to field a gubernatorial candidate with some insisting the community focuses on MP’s seat.
Whether or not Dr Issa will be endorsed by his community elders for MP or Governor’s seat, viability of his candidature will primarily be premised on coalitions as the Somali community votes are not sufficient enough.
Pundits say the Gubernatorial contest in the county will be a two-horse race between Governor Kuti and his predecessor Godana Doyo who enjoys huge support from his Borana community.
Former EACC boss Halakhe Dida Waqo who recently joined ODM Party and Governor Kuti have already been endorsed by elders from their Karayu and Sakuye communities respectively.
Also in the contest is Hudson Kinyua who was recently given greenlight by a section of Ameru community elders in a disputed event that saw another faction dismiss the endorsement.
