Former Garissa Governor Ali Bunow Korane has urged residents to set aside clan rivalries and political differences, as he steps up efforts to reclaim the county’s top seat in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a fundraising event for Nanighi Mosque and Tahfidh Madrasa in Garissa County, Korane called for peaceful political engagement and greater unity, saying cooperation among communities was essential for the county’s development.
He also urged eligible residents to register as voters ahead of the 2027 polls.
Korane, who lost the governorship to Nathif Jama in the 2022 election, declared his support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid, arguing that Garissa and the wider region had benefited from more development projects under the Kenya Kwanza administration than under previous governments.
Education, healthcare top agenda
Outlining his priorities should he win a second term, Korane identified education, healthcare and youth empowerment as key areas requiring greater investment.
He pledged to strengthen healthcare services, improve access to education and expand economic opportunities for young people to help them become financially independent.
Korane served as Garissa’s governor from 2017 to 2022, during which his administration pursued projects in healthcare, early childhood education and water supply.
Among the initiatives he highlighted was the operationalisation of intensive care and renal units at Garissa Referral Hospital, which he said helped reduce the need for patients to travel to Nairobi for specialised treatment.
His administration also constructed Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classrooms and recruited teachers to improve foundational learning across the county.
In the water sector, the county government implemented the Kasha Water Supply project, co-funded by UNICEF, to improve access to clean water in Kasha and neighbouring settlements.
Clan inclusion in county leadership
Korane’s latest call for unity echoes efforts during his first term to promote inclusivity in county leadership.
In 2021, the Kenya News Agency reported that senior positions in the Garissa County Government had been distributed among different clans following consultations with community elders.
The former governor has also acknowledged shortcomings during his first term, saying lessons from his administration would inform his approach to governance if elected again.
In an interview with The Star, Korane said he would prioritise strengthening referral and sub-county hospitals while expanding economic opportunities for young people beyond jobs in county government.
With political activity building ahead of the 2027 elections, Korane faces the task of persuading voters that his experience and proposed priorities offer a compelling case for his return to office.
