Monday, January 21, 2013

Haji’s sister-in-law and five others contesting Ijara parliamentary seat



MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2013 - 00:00
 -- BY STEPHEN ASTARIKO
The Ijara parliamentary seat has attracted six aspirants as outgoing MP Defense minister Yusuf Haji opted to run for Garissa senator. Haji has been MP for the last 10 years.
The six include Sofia Abdinoor of URP, an outgoing ODM nominated MP and Haji's sister in-law. Abdinoor and Bishar Abass of ODM are the only aspirants who have previouslyvied for the Ijara parliamentary seat but lost.
Sofia contested in 1997, but lost to a then little-known public health officer Mohamed Wayrah who was backed by Kanu through the influence of Haji who was the Rift Valley PC.
The election is likely to be influenced by the county political realignment and clan affiliations. Hassan Adan sub-clan despite its numerical strength has not produced an MP since 1978 when Mohamud Jubat was elected. The clan has supported Haji in the last two elections.
Youthful Bishar Abass, a son of former MP Ibrahim Abass, who is vying on an ODM ticket for the second time is banking on his experience during his contest with Haji in 2007.
However, Bishar like Sofia is facing a huge challenge from Ahmed Dualle of UDF who also hails from the Abokor Adan sub-clan of the Abdalla clan. Abokor Adan sub-clan produced the area MP in two successive terms in 1988-1992 through Nassir Arte.
Mohamedamin Mohamed of the Safina party and retired army sergeant Adan Abdi Koriow of TNA, both from the populace Abdikarim sub-clan are eying the seat too.

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