By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 2 July 2026 - The old adage goes that when one door closes, another one opens.
Many public officers in the past have, at one point, been thrown into oblivion for various reasons, including scandals and the end of their appointing authorities’ tenure, only to make a dramatic comeback through the ballot.
Former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban’s entry into the 2027 Isiolo gubernatorial race has reignited this old debate.
Suffice it to say that unless all legal avenues have been exhausted, public officers linked to controversy have the right to vie for any elective office in Kenya.
The debate on whether individuals mentioned in high-profile scandals can contest elective positions ultimately rests with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
These two institutions have the mandate to approve a contestant, provided they meet the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution and possess all the relevant documents.
Liban, who on Sunday received the endorsement of elders from the Warsu clan in an event held in Isiolo hotel, has officially begun his quest to succeed Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo in the 2027 elections.
In Northern Kenya, endorsement by clan elders is traditionally viewed as the first crucial step before seeking support from other communities, giving his campaign an important political foundation.
His endorsement, however, comes barely months after his abrupt exit from government following the controversial procurement of allegedly substandard fuel worth approximately KSh4.8 billion.
The fuel shipment was imported outside Kenya's Government-to-Government (G-to-G) petroleum import arrangement with Gulf countries, triggering investigations that led to the resignation of Liban, former Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Director General Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria and former Kenya Pipeline Company Managing Director Joe Sang.
The three officials were later arrested before being released on police bail pending investigations. The legal process surrounding the matter remains unresolved.
Despite the controversy, Liban's supporters insist his experience in public administration makes him the right candidate to transform Isiolo County.
"We realised there is a problem in Isiolo. We needed someone with experience and who is learned enough to lead this county," one Warsu elder said during the endorsement ceremony.
Liban's political ambitions reflect a recurring trend in Kenya where public officials whose careers are interrupted because of the aforementioned reasons, often seek electoral office as a route back into public life.
Political analysts note that while allegations or investigations may damage bureaucratic careers, they do not necessarily translate into political defeat at the ballot.
Perhaps the most prominent example is Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
Waiguru resigned in 2015 as Cabinet Secretary for Devolution at the height of the National Youth Service (NYS) scandal, where millions of shillings were allegedly lost through fraudulent procurement.
Although she consistently denied wrongdoing and was never convicted over the scandal, her political future appeared uncertain.
Two years later, however, she successfully contested the Kirinyaga governorship, defeating seasoned rivals.
She would later win re-election and rise to become Chairperson of the Council of Governors, demonstrating that controversy alone does not always determine electoral fortunes.
Her political comeback remains one of Kenya's most notable examples of resilience after public scandal.
Unlike appointments in government, elections are ultimately decided by voters rather than appointing authorities or investigative agencies.
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Political observers argue that Kenyan voters often weigh multiple factors beyond allegations of corruption.
Ethnic identity, clan dynamics, development records, party affiliations and local political alliances frequently play a significant role in determining electoral outcomes.
In Northern Kenya, clan endorsement carries particular political weight.
The endorsement Liban received from Warsu elders may therefore provide him with an early organisational advantage as he begins mobilising support across Isiolo's diverse communities.
However, analysts caution that endorsement from one community alone is unlikely to secure victory in a county where coalition-building across ethnic and clan lines remains essential.
Liban enters what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive gubernatorial contests in northern Kenya.
Incumbent Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo is widely expected to seek a second term.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has already declared her interest in the seat, setting the stage for another high-profile contest after years in national politics.
Sports Fund Chief Executive Officer Nuh Mohamed Ibrahim has also emerged as a potential challenger, adding to an increasingly crowded field.
Each candidate brings different political strengths—from incumbency and parliamentary experience to technocratic credentials—making the race far from predictable
Whether Liban can successfully emulate Waiguru's political comeback may depend on factors beyond traditional campaign politics.
The unresolved legal issues arising from the fuel procurement controversy are likely to feature prominently during the campaign, providing opponents with ammunition as they question his suitability for office.
While investigations and court proceedings do not automatically bar a candidate from contesting elections unless disqualified under the law, prolonged legal battles can influence public perception.
At the same time, Liban may seek to frame himself as a technocrat whose government experience equips him to improve governance and accelerate development in Isiolo.
Kenya's political history offers numerous examples of leaders who have remained politically competitive despite facing allegations, investigations or impeachment attempts.
For many voters, local development, accessibility, community identity and political networks often outweigh unresolved controversies, particularly where no criminal conviction exists.
This reality has transformed elections into what some analysts describe as the ultimate court of public opinion, where political survival depends less on headlines than on the ability to retain public trust.
As the 2027 campaigns gather momentum, Liban's candidacy will test once again whether Kenyan voters are willing to separate allegations from electoral choices.
Whether he follows Anne Waiguru's path to political redemption or finds his campaign overshadowed by the fuel scandal and ongoing legal proceedings will ultimately be decided not in boardrooms or courtrooms, but at the ballot box.
On the ground in Isiolo, some residents believe the petroleum procurement controversy is unlikely to derail Liban's political ambitions, especially after securing the backing of his clan elders.
Osman Aden Abubakar, a youth from Isiolo, said the endorsement by the Warsu elders demonstrates that Liban continues to enjoy significant support within his community despite the scandal.
Already, if he has received a nod from the elders, that is an acceptance from his community. It's only a court case that can stop him from running for the seat," Osman said.
His remarks reflect a sentiment shared by some local residents who argue that community confidence and leadership credentials will weigh more heavily than the controversy surrounding his resignation from government.
However, others contend that the unresolved fuel procurement case could become a major campaign issue as rival candidates seek to portray themselves as cleaner alternatives. How voters ultimately balance questions of integrity against leadership experience is expected to be one of the defining issues of the 2027 Isiolo gubernatorial race.
The contest is already shaping up as a fierce battle, with incumbent Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo expected to defend his seat, while Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Sports Fund Chief Executive Officer Nuh Mohamed Ibrahim have also expressed interest in the county's top job.