In what is expected to be a game changer in the 2017 Garissa gubernatorial race, Omar Abdi Gabay has offered to step down in favor of the incumbent Nathif Adam Jama, who is seeking to defend the seat for a second term.
The news has sent a wave of uncertainty for Ali Bunow Korane and his supporters who now have no option but to up their campaigns in a bid to counter Jama's growing influence.
For the past one week, local debates were awash with the name of Abdi Gabay, who has since offered to support Jama after being promised goodies for 2022.
Gabay opted to rally behind Jama after his community held a closed door meeting with the duo, after which they both agreed to the elder's submissions.
A source privy to the proceedings of the meeting exclusively disclosed to this writer that Omar was convinced to support Jama in 2017 elections, where the latter is to return the same favour to him in 2022 gubernatorial race.
Gabay's exit in the county's 2017 politics now makes the race more stiff as only two aspirants have been left in the battle field to take on each other.