The race to succeed Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali is turning into a closely watched contests as at least five aspirants are campaigning at the grassroots.
Although the election is still months away, the early mobilisation points to a contest that is likely to be fought as much on political networks and community support as on development promises.
The emerging field brings together experienced politicians, former office holders, and a woman seeking to break through traditional barriers to leadership.
Their campaigns are offering voters competing visions of what the next administration should look like, while alliances and endorsements are beginning to shape the political landscape.
At the centre of the contest is former Governor Ukur Yatani, who is seeking a political comeback after losing the seat about a decade ago.
Yatani is presenting himself as an experienced administrator who understands the workings of county government and believes his previous experience gives him an advantage over newer entrants.
His campaign is built around the promise of restoring public services, with education and healthcare featuring prominently.
Yatani says the teaching fraternity has not received the attention it deserves and would occupy a central position in his administration if elected.
“The teaching fraternity will be at the centre of management and all development activities in the county,” he says.
Healthcare is another pillar of his campaign.
Yatani says many residents continue to struggle to access medical services because of financial constraints, while shortages of drugs in some facilities force patients to seek medicines from private pharmacies.
“There is a huge number of residents suffering from lifestyle diseases and are unable to manage them,” he says.
Yatani is also promising to digitise county government services to move away from paper-based administrative systems.
Automation, he says, would improve transparency, simplify access to services and tackle inefficiencies.
His broader governance pitch is centred on fighting corruption and improving the management of public resources.
“My leadership will be anchored on good governance — governance free from corruption and dealing ruthlessly with public officers abusing or misusing county resources,” he said.
For Yatani, development and governance are closely connected. He argues Marsabit cannot attract external investment or realise its tourism potential without better infrastructure.
“We must make the county accessible. We must have better infrastructure that would attract investors. Tourism cannot thrive without infrastructure,” he said.
His argument is essentially that experience matters, particularly in a county where residents expect devolution to translate into visible improvements in public services.
But his return is not guaranteed.
While some residents praise his previous record, others remain critical of his previous administration, describing his leadership style as dictatorial and lacking inclusivity.
That competing assessment of his past record could become a significant factor in the campaign as voters weigh experience against the desire for a fresh political direction.
Saku MP Dido Raso is offering another version of experienced leadership.
The three-term legislator is campaigning on prudent management of county resources, stronger development programmes,and improved services.
“The people of Marsabit can count on me. My track record as Saku legislator speaks for itself and residents can audit my work as I seek county leadership,” he says.
Water is central to Raso’s development agenda. He says the county needs stronger institutions, better planning and continuous investment to guarantee reliable supplies for households, businesses and institutions.
“Water should not be a seasonal promise. It is a basic necessity that requires strong institutions, proper planning and continuous investment to guarantee a reliable supply for all,” he says.
He is also promising reforms in healthcare, including the automation of medical supplies to curb theft and improve the availability of services.
“The hallmark of my administration will be consultation. The health workers will give ideas and solutions so their plight can be addressed,” he says.
Raso is also targeting young voters with a promise of skills training, entrepreneurship support, sports development, digital opportunities and employment.
“A strong county is built by empowering young people. When we invest in our youth, we invest in the future prosperity, leadership and economic strength of the county,” he says.
Agriculture forms another part of his economic pitch. He says the county government should strengthen links between producers and markets and promote agribusiness so residents can earn more from their investments.
Politically, Raso has secured an important boost. His main rival, Chachu Tadicha, agreed to step down in a deal brokered by elders in Moyale, after which Raso was endorsed by his Jima clan.
Saku resident Guyo Bonaya says they repeatedly voted Raso back to Parliament because of his development record.
“We believe he can do even more for the people of Marsabit if given a chance to serve as governor,” he said.
Marsabit Woman Representative Naomi Waqo has emerged as another significant contender, adding a gender dimension to the battle for the county’s top seat.
She is campaigning on accountability, inclusivity and service delivery, with health, water, sanitation, and education among her priorities.
“Devolution has played a significant role in development and we want more women to contest for leadership,” Waqo said.
Her campaign is challenging traditional attitudes towards women in leadership.
Waqo says some communities continue to hold the view that women should be seen rather than heard, describing such attitudes as a major obstacle for women seeking political office.
She is promising an open and responsive administration, saying restoring public confidence will require transparent governance, equal opportunities and greater investment in youth employment and economic empowerment.
“Leadership should empower people to earn a living with dignity, not reduce them to depending on campaign handouts. What residents need are jobs, investment and sustainable development,” the legislator said.
Waqo says she was endorsed in early 2024 by communities across the county and wants to reach every part of Marsabit with development.
The field could become even more crowded. Former North Horr MP Chachu Ganya and Petroleum PS Kello Harsama have also expressed interest.
The growing number of aspirants means the contest could eventually become a battle over who can build the broadest coalition across Marsabit’s political landscape.
For now, the candidates are using grassroots meetings, social media influence, philanthropy, and community networks to build political capital before the official campaign period.
That early mobilisation matters because Marsabit politics is unlikely to be determined by policy proposals alone.
Candidates will have to translate their promises into political alliances and convince voters they can deliver.
The central question for voters will therefore be whether the next governor should be an experienced hand promising to restore public services, a sitting legislator offering a new development model, or a candidate promising greater inclusivity and a different style of leadership.
As the contenders position themselves, the race is becoming a contest between political experience, development credentials, and the demand for change — with the eventual winner needing more than a strong home base to take control of the county.
