The Garissa governor’s race is heating up as Abakaile MCA Dahiye Hajir insists he is still in the contest for the top job.
Hajir said his candidature should not be underestimated, noting that his entry into the race is anchored on preparation, ideas and a clear vision for the county.
He presented his manifesto to members of the Aulihan Professionals.
The ward representative presented his manifesto to the nine-member Aulihan Professionals Council, with each representative drawn from one of the nine Aulihan sub-clans.
Hajir is seeking the seat under the banner of the Talasame Alliance, the official opposition grouping in the county.
Dubbed the 2027 Talasame Manifesto: Service Delivery for Every Home, the policy document is built on the concept of leadership as an amanah (trust).
It pledges strict adherence to devolution, accountable leadership, and people-centred service delivery suited to Garissa’s arid and semi-arid conditions.
A key highlight of the manifesto is a proposal to establish a Sh30 million ward development fund for every ward, aimed at promoting equitable and visible grassroots development.
Hajir said the fund would support priority projects identified through structured public participation, including water projects, access roads, Early Childhood Development Education centres, markets and other essential social infrastructure.
On governance, he pledged to appoint county executive committee members based on merit and professional competence, engage qualified advisers, and protect the independence of the County Public Service Board.
The ward representative added that professional governance is critical to rebuilding public confidence and improving service delivery.
Recognising that about 90 per cent of Garissa households rely on livestock, the manifesto places strong emphasis on securing pastoral livelihoods through enhanced veterinary services, sustainable rangeland management, and better-functioning livestock markets.
It further proposes the establishment of agriculture and livestock training centres in every sub-county, phased irrigation farming along the Tana River, and gradual investment in agro-processing, including milk processing and meat value chains.
In the education sector, Hajir commits to strengthening quality ECDE services, expanding technical vocational education and training programmes aligned to the local economy, and supporting an integrated madrassa, duksi, and early childhood education model that respects faith-based learning while safeguarding child welfare.
Health sector priorities focus on making existing facilities more effective rather than constructing new ones, with emphasis on staffing, fair deployment of health workers, maternal and child health services, and improved emergency referral systems, particularly for remote communities.
Water and sanitation proposals include rehabilitating non-functional infrastructure, strengthening water management institutions, and implementing a phased Tana River water supply project to serve households, trading centres, schools, and health facilities.
The manifesto also outlines plans for orderly urban development, maintenance of county roads, support for small and medium enterprises, and promotion of value addition and light industrialisation.
Hajir promises to introduce a fair, transparent, and growth-oriented county taxation framework, arguing that predictable taxes are essential for compliance, investment, and local business growth.
Through the Talasame Alliance, he said his leadership would rally voters across Garissa North and South around issue-based politics, accountability, and service delivery, positioning the alliance as a viable alternative in 2027.
He described the manifesto as a practical roadmap grounded in constitutional responsibilities and local realities, rather than political rhetoric, as the race for the Garissa governorship continues to take shape.
Hajir becomes the second aspirant from the Aulihan clan to formally declare interest in the seat after former Lagdera MP Mohamed Shidiye. Other contenders include former Garissa Governor Ali Korane, former Ijara MP Ibrahim Abaas, and Garissa Senator Abdul Haji.
by STEPHEN ASTARIKO
