Governor aspirant Omar M. Sheikh Ali, OGW, has issued a statement setting the record straight on what he describes as falsehoods, propaganda and injustice surrounding the endorsement of Mr Ahmed Kolosh as the Reer Aaw Mohamud (RM) family’s flag bearer for the Wajir County gubernatorial race in the 2027 General Election.
Mr Sheikh Ali stated that he was endorsed by the Reer Aaw Mohamud family for the same position in 2013 but stepped down in the interest of Mantan family solidarity in favour of Mr Ahmed Abdulahi. His immediate family, the Gafow Mohamud, endorsed him on 28 June 2026 as its sole flag bearer for 2027. No other candidate from that family was endorsed for another elective position.
He said Mr Ahmed Kolosh was never endorsed by the Aden Mohamud family to contest any position. That family endorsed Fatuma Issack for the senatorial seat. The Farah Mohamud family partially endorsed Yahya Mohamed, while another section endorsed Dahir Korow for the National Assembly seat.
“These are the facts, and they should not be distorted for political convenience,” Mr Sheikh Ali said.
On qualifications, he noted that he is the most senior of the aspirants in age, academic qualifications and professional experience. Mr Yahya is in his 30s, Mr Kolosh is in his 40s, and he is in his 60s, with many years of experience in management, leadership and governance in public service.
“Experience matters when we are considering who should carry the responsibility of leading Wajir County. This is not simply about ambition. It is about preparedness, responsibility and the ability to provide leadership when the challenges are greatest,” he said.
After Quran readings, prayers and wide consultations, the RM family had settled on 17 September 2026 as the date on which the process of selecting a candidate would begin. Each sub-family was tasked with presenting only one candidate for all elective positions.
Mr Sheikh Ali said that just a day after the Hadado meeting, one candidate began pushing for the selection date to be brought forward. The process was then conducted without his participation and without the participation of the other aspirant. Some members of the RM family reportedly gathered at a private facility, the Red Cross in Wajir, during Friday prayers and proceeded with the endorsement of Mr Kolosh. A delegates’ system was introduced without prior agreement among the aspirants or the wider family.
“A decision of such importance should never be made behind closed doors. If we are to choose the person who will carry the hopes and aspirations of our people, the process must itself command the confidence of the people,” he said.
Two days after the endorsement, elders proceeded to Makoror Centre for a rally. Mr Sheikh Ali said the conduct of some elders was widely perceived as inconsistent with the dignity and responsibility traditionally associated with their position. He described the utterances and dancing in public view as disgraceful and said such scenes had not been witnessed in the political journey of the Reer Aaw Mohamud family since independence in 1963.
He called for reflection rather than division and for an agreed, transparent and credible selection process that gives every aspirant a fair opportunity.
“The decision made in favour of Mr Kolosh should be reviewed because the process through which it was reached did not have the participation, agreement and confidence of all the aspirants and stakeholders,” he said.
Once a suitable candidate is selected through a process accepted by all, that name should be submitted to the Mantan family for approval before engagement with other communities begins.
Mr Sheikh Ali proposed that the three gubernatorial aspirants each nominate three people of unquestionable integrity — nine people in total — who cannot be bought, influenced or intimidated. These nominees should work on an independent mediation and selection process in Nairobi, develop clear criteria acceptable to all aspirants, and then subject the selected candidate to the approval of the larger Reer Aaw Mohamud family in Hadado.
“This is not about one individual. It is about the dignity of our family, the credibility of our decisions and the kind of political legacy we want to leave behind,” he said.
He added that, as matters stand, he is the only candidate who meets the criteria set out in the Hadado Declaration, which requires each family to endorse only one candidate for an elective position.
“Let us protect our solidarity. Let us protect our dignity. Let us protect the integrity of our political process.”
