Garissa County Senator Yusuf Haji’s clarification that he will be defending his seat in next year’s general elections has paved way for a generational battle in the polls.
Many thought he would be going the top county seat next year, but he has stated that he will be vying for the senatorial seat that he won in 2013, before going for the gubernatorial seat in 2022.
With the entry of Ahmed Salah, who recently celebrated his 24th birthday into the race, next year’s polls will be interesting given the need for change in the town.
According to Salah, who announced his candidature two weeks ago, he wants to unseat the ‘old guard’, whom he has accused of looting and promoting corruption.
From his candidature announcement, Salah is determined to one day take the top leadership of the country, saying Kenyans are tired of political rhetoric with no action and even development agenda.
Salah is an ordinary boy who was born and bred in Northeastern region, and started his primary education in Garissa Primary before joining Starehe Boys Centre for his secondary education.
He graduated from the University of Nairobi from the school of diplomacy and foreign studies and is currently enrolled for Masters’ programmes at the United States International University (USIU).
Saleh was a founder of the famous walk of hope, a walk that was aimed at restoring peace in Northern area, and is determined to unite people across the region.
It will be interesting to see how it folds as Saleh tries to unseat Haji, who has been in the public sector for a long time and served Ijara Constituency on two consecutive terms.