Guyo offers to ditch UDA ticket to keep rivals in Ruto camp

Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo gives his remarks during celebrations to mark Mashujaa Day/HANDOUTIsiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo has said he is willing to forfeit the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket and run as an independent candidate if doing so would keep his political rivals in President William Ruto’s camp.

Guyo said he was confident of securing the ruling party’s ticket to defend his seat but urged his competitors not to use the nomination contest as a reason to abandon Ruto’s re-election bid and join the opposition.

Addressing members of the public in Isiolo, the governor insisted that UDA nominations would be free and fair, while emphasising the need for leaders to prioritise the President’s political interests over their individual ambitions.

“I am ready to seek re-election as an independent candidate if that will allow my challengers to remain in UDA and continue supporting Ruto,” the governor stated.

Guyo appealed to his main competitors, including Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo, former County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba, former Petroleum Principal Secretary Mohamed Liban and Sports Fund Chief Executive Officer Nuh Hajj, to unite behind the President even as they pursue their respective political ambitions.

The governor was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket in 2022 but left the party less than a year after the election to join UDA.

Guyo also cautioned politicians against invoking the President’s name to intimidate members of the county security team or influence local political affairs.

He said Ruto did not involve himself in petty grassroots political disputes and warned leaders against making calls to security officers while claiming to be acting on the President’s instructions.

Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo joins locals in marking Mashujaa Day/HANDOUTThe governor urged politicians to respect their opponents’ meetings and avoid disrupting gatherings organised by rival camps.

He said leaders who disagreed with their competitors should organise their own meetings to communicate their messages rather than intruding into other people’s events and causing chaos.

Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya raised concerns over what she described as the weaponisation of police officers by some politicians, saying the practice needed to be addressed to restore public confidence in the Kenya Police Service.

However, Isiolo County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the police service was independent and did not receive instructions from outside the institution.

The leaders called on politicians to embrace responsible campaigning as the country approaches the 2027 elections, warning that political competition should not undermine peaceful coexistence among communities.

They urged leaders to exercise restraint, respect the rule of law and avoid actions that could trigger tension in the county as campaigns gather momentum.

A Senate committee lifts arrest warrant against the governor after he showed up to respond to audit queries

Leaders say Ruto has opened up marginalised regions through major infrastructure projects and increased representation in government.