By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
June 18, 2026 - Former Garissa Governor Ali Korane on Wednesday rallied religious leaders to support the re-election of President William Ruto for a second term.
While meeting clerics who equally promised to back his bid to become the next Garissa governor, Korane said Ruto has stood with Muslims and the people of the North Eastern region.
He told the clerics that just as they had declared their support for his own comeback, they should also mobilise locals for the President's re-election.
"President Ruto has stood with us. He has supported several madrasas and mosques. He is someone we can count on and the leader of our party. I ask you to support the President," said Korane.
The former governor pledged to establish a fully fledged department for religious affairs if elected, noting that he is committed to strengthening services for religious institutions.
Korane also promised to scale up support for madrasas through the employment of more teachers, improvement of learning facilities and investment in critical infrastructure to provide a more conducive environment for religious education, noting that all this is possible under devolved units.
He was accompanied by ward representatives Abdirahman Bor (Sankuri), Hussein Mohamed (Township), Abdullahi Ibrahim (Nanigi), Katra Iman (Nominated) and others.
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Korane was first elected governor in 2013 but lost to the incumbent Nathif Jama, who is finishing his second term. He has been making inroads to campaign for his return to office.
In a statement after the meeting, Korane said religious leaders are not merely custodians of mosques and spiritual guides to communities, but indispensable partners in development, peacebuilding and the socio-economic transformation of the county.
"It is in this spirit that I met more than 2,000 clerics to share my vision for the future of Garissa County, seek their support for my gubernatorial candidature and rally support for the re-election of President William Ruto," he said.
Korane called upon the clerics to take a leading role in fostering peace, social cohesion and community stability by helping address local conflicts and the growing insecurity posed by knife-wielding gangs that have recently terrorised residents of Garissa town. He emphasised that defeating crime and restoring order requires a collective effort involving religious leaders, communities and government institutions working hand in hand.
He was accompanied by 13 Members of the County Assembly and the Abudwak Grand Council of Elders.