As campaigns for the 2027 General Election gather pace, a section of second-term governors are already positioning themselves to vie for Senate seats while identifying or endorsing their preferred successors.
Over the weekend, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama publicly declared that he would vie for the Senate seat in 2027 and endorsed the current senator, Abdulkadir Haji, to succeed him as governor.
Other counties where governors serving their final terms have announced plans to seek Senate seats include Tana River, Marsabit, Kajiado, Nyeri and Bomet.
Garissa Senator Abdulkadir Mohamed Haji.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
In counties such as Kirinyaga, Lamu, Bungoma and Kisumu, second-term governors have announced their preferred successors but are yet to disclose their next political moves.
Over the weekend, the Awliyahan clan unanimously endorsed Senator Haji as its sole candidate for governor.
To boost Senator Haji’s chances of clinching the gubernatorial seat, members of the Samawathal clan, another branch of the wider Ogaden community, also backed his candidature.
The two clans came together after months of consultations and agreed that Mr Haji would seek the governor’s position while Governor Jama would vie for the Senate seat. Jama served his first term between 2013-2017.
The endorsement was formally announced by Ugas Ahmed Sheikh Muhumed, chairperson of the Awliyahan Sultanate, who said the decision followed extensive consultations, prayerful consideration and unanimous agreement within the community.
“After wide consultations, prayerful consideration and unanimous agreement within the Awliyahan community, we recognize and endorse Senator Abdulkadir Mohamed Yussuf Haji as the sole and official candidate of the Awliyahan Sultanate for the position of governor of Garissa County in the 2027 General Election,” Ugas said.
The senator has also received support from Dadaab MP and veteran politician Farah Maalim, who urged Mr Haji to embark on an intensive grassroots campaign.
“With the coalition now sealed, we are going to hit the ground and consolidate the votes. Abdul, you now have to start a very powerful vote hunt, starting with religious leaders and all the other communities living in Garissa,” said Mr Maalim.
The senator has accepted the endorsement and called on those opposed to his candidature to engage in politics based on ideas and development.
In Wajir, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has made his bid for the Senate seat clear after serving as governor from 2013 to 2017 and again from 2022 to 2027 on an ODM ticket.
His bid is being supported by Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney, who says the governor’s leadership credentials and development record make him the most suitable candidate to represent the county in the Senate.
“By God, from 2013 to 2017 this man worked hard. We are lucky to have a second term governor, we have an elder and we are ready for him to lead us,” said Mr Saney.
“We want him to unite Wajir people and help us pick the right candidate without confrontations and much resources,” added the legislator.
Mr Abdullahi serves as chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) and is one of the leading political figures from Northern Kenya supporting President William Ruto’s re-election campaign.
The governor has accepted the endorsement, which is also part of negotiations among clans in the county over the sharing of elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Tana River, Governor Dhadho Godana is seeking the Senate seat against his political rival, Senator Danson Mungatana, after completing his term. He has publicly endorsed Galole MP Said Hiribae as his preferred successor.
“Said Hiribae will inherit my seat as I go for the senate seat. With what I have done to this county, the only person who can carry on with my legacy is Mr Hiribae,” said Mr Godana.
Governor Dhadho Godana.
Photo credit: File | Nation
In Bomet County, Governor Hillary Barchok has teamed up with former governor Isaac Rutto as the two seek to edge out Senator Hillary Sigei from the county’s top political leadership in 2027.
Mr Barchok is supporting Mr Rutto’s bid to reclaim the governorship, while the former governor, a fierce critic of Senator Sigei, is backing Mr Barchok’s quest for the Senate seat.
“He who wishes elected leaders well is also fit to lead. Those who cause trouble for the chosen leaders are unfit to lead. For the respect Mzee (Rutto) has shown me, I will also respect and support him for a second term,” said Mr Barchok when he endorsed Mr Rutto and declared his senatorial bid.
In Kajiado County, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has fallen out with ODM and threatened to use a different political outfit in his quest for the Senate seat in 2027.
Mr Lenku has served as governor since 2017 and is fronting his deputy, Martin Moshosho, to succeed him next year. He is unhappy with the ODM leadership, which he accuses of working with some UDA leaders to undermine him politically in the county.
“ODM we found it weak and because we respected the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, we made it strong in Kajiado. The same way UDA MCAs went to DCP, we will also leave for Linda Mwananchi,” said Mr Lenku over the weekend.
“ODM will close shop in Kajiado county. We are the people who brought ODM here, and made it respected. We are, however, ready to leave it if the party continues to betray us,” he added.
In Kirinyaga, Governor Anne Waiguru is among the county bosses yet to declare their next political move but has hinted at Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari as her preferred successor.
Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has announced that he will support his deputy, Dr Mbarak Mohamed Salim, popularly known as Bahjaj, as his preferred successor. Mr Timamy has also unveiled and endorsed former Lamu MP Julius Ndegwa Kariuki asDr Salim’s running mate.
In Kisumu, Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o is backing his deputy, Dr Mathews Owili for the post.
Dr Nyongo’s name has featured prominently in political circles as a possible senatorial candidate but he is yet to formally announce his next political move.
In Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka is supporting Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa as his heir apparent while coordinating President Ruto's reelection in Western Kenya.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who had been eyeing Marianne Kitany’s Aldai parliamentary seat, recently backed off, saying he had been instructed by President Ruto to focus on national politics.
