Saku MP Dido Ali Raso's gubernatorial interest got a boost after the Jima clan from the Borana community endorsed his plan.
In terms of clan matrix, the Jima clan are one of the majority in the Borana community in Marsabit County.
The Jima supreme leader Sallo Dida said they chose to support and endorse the Saku lawmaker because of his development track record as their leader.
" As elders in the Jima clan, this is not a decision that we hurriedly arrived at. We did a lot of soul-searching and consultation amongst ourselves. MP's track record is well known and it was easy to sell him to the people of Marsabit county," he said
Dida said they will meet elders from other clans in the Borana community to implore them to back the agenda.
"We are sure that he will safeguard the interest of not only the Borana community but of all Marsabit County residents because he is an elder," he said
He added
"We do not doubt that we have made the right choice to throw our support behind him."
Raso's main challenger in his clan, Chachu Tadicha agreed to step down in a deal that was brokered by elders in Shawabare in Moyale border.
"We had two strong candidates for the seat but Mr Chachu Tadicha has decided to step down and support Hon. Raso. Mw Chachu Tadicha epitomizes his love for his community," said Jima supreme leader Sallo Dida.
While echoing his sentiments, Godana Kullu said Saku MP has support from all communities residing in Marsabit county and he has an upper hand in succeeding Governor Mohamud Ali.
He said, as elders they blessed Mr Chachu Tadicha who stepped down his bid in favor of his brother Dido Ali Raso.
Dido Ali Raso, a three-term MP said he is humbled by the endorsement, promising to unify his Borana community to speak in one voice and rally their support behind him.
" I accept this endorsement of our elders with a full and grateful heart with only one obligation, provide good leadership to our community and the people of Marsabit County. The task ahead is not a walk in the park and requires commitment and dedication, not just from me but from everybody in our community," said MP Raso.
He thanked the elders for choosing him as their preferred gubernatorial candidate and Chachu Tadicha for accepting the elder's verdict.
He hailed Chachu Tadicha as a leader who truly loves his community and assured that together with like-minded leaders, they will make Marsabit a country that will be admired across the nation.
He cautioned his community not to fall into the trap of politicians who intend to divide them and instead focus on the unity and well-being of the community.
Chachu Tadicha assured his support for the Saku lawmaker and urged other clans within the Borana community to support Raso who is serving as Saku MP for his third term.
Uran ward MCA Halkano Konso welcomed the elder's decision to endorse him for the 2027 gubernatorial bid.
He described the MP as an intelligent and visionary leader who has what it takes to take the mantle of leadership from Governor Mohamud Ali.
He asked marsabit county residents and more specifically to Borana community to support the lawmaker in his dream to be the next governor of Marsabit County.
"He is a long-serving MP, currently serving his third term as Saku MP. If he has got a dream, let him dream and we can help him achieve it," he said
The MCA challenged the Borana community to uphold their unity before they went out to woo other communities to vote for one of their own.
UDM secretary general Eng. Halakhe Waqo Halakhe congratulated MP Raso for earning the trust of the elders and welcomed the JIMA clan elders' decision.
Halakhe said Raso has a history in the Borana community as he managed to unify the community in the 2017 gubernatorial election in unseating the former Governor Ukur Yattani.
" I call upon my Borana community and Marsabit county residents to support Saku mp Dido Ali Raso's bid for the 2027 general election," said the UDM secretary general.