Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has endorsed his brother-in-law Mohamed Barrow Dekow to be the next Garissa Township Member of Parliament.
The endorsement from Duale gave Barrow a competitive advantage for the by-election set for January 5, 2023.
Duale endorsed his brother-in-law after a consultative meeting by the Abduwak clan that was held at Garissa Hotel.
The CS while endorsing Dekow urged professionals and leaders from the clan to support him as he was one of their own.
If the endorsement is approved by United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, the ruling party will not conduct primaries but give Barrow a direct nomination.
Garissa Township parliamentary seat fell vacant after Duale was sworn in as Defense CS on October 27, 2022.
Barrow’s endorsement is contradictory from Kenya Kwanza’s repeated criticism of politicians endorsing family members.
Deputy Rigathi Gachagua on November 28, 2022 accused Azimio leader Raila Odinga and Wiper's Kalonzo Musyoka for rewarding family members with plum political jobs.
“These people who want our children to go to the street have organised for their children to serve in East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Arusha,” Gachagua remarked.
President Ruto also accused opposition leaders of giving available political slots to family members.
“The opposition has already given their family members jobs, they should now let me give the rest of Kenyans jobs,” Ruto remarked on November 28, during the launch of Twiga Foods at Tatu City.
Mini polls will also be conducted in Elgeyo Marakwet county and Kandara constituency, after Kipchumba Murkomen and Alice Wahome were picked for cabinet slots.
Following UDA nominations, William Kisang won the primaries in the race to succeed Murkomen while Chege Njuguna was handed the Kandara ticket.
