Author: Abdihakim Siyad

For decades, Northern Kenya existed at the far edge of the Kenyan state politically distant, economically sidelined, and developmentally frozen. Roads thinned out and disappeared, public hospitals were scarce and under-equipped, access to clean water was unreliable, and education infrastructure was minimal. Where the state did appear, it was often through security operations rather than service delivery. When devolution was introduced in 2013, it did not deliver instant equality to Northern Kenya; it delivered an opportunity to begin correcting a history of deliberate neglect. It is this historical context that Wajir Governor and Council of Governors (CoG) Chair Ahmed Abdullahi…

Life inside the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) after Raila Odinga is no longer theoretical. It is lived, contested, negotiated, and, increasingly, openly questioned. For decades, Raila Odinga was not just the party leader; he was its ideological anchor, electoral compass, and unifying force. His exit from frontline party leadership has left behind more than a vacancy it has exposed unresolved tensions about authority, direction, democracy, and succession. It is within this fragile and transitional moment that EALA MP Winnie Odinga stepped forward to speak, granting Citizen TV’s Yvonne Okwara her first major interview since Baba stepped aside. The interview was significant…

In Kenyan politics, nothing is said casually especially by a sitting president. Every word, every compliment, and every public endorsement carries political weight. In recent months, President William Samoei Ruto’s increasingly emphatic praise of his Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, has attracted attention across the political divide. To the casual observer, it may appear as routine appreciation of a loyal deputy. But to the politically attentive mind, it signals something deeper: a carefully choreographed message aimed at shaping coalition negotiations ahead of the 2027 General Election. President Ruto’s repeated references to Kindiki as a workaholic, an accomplished scholar, and a dependable…

Northern Kenya is often portrayed as a region of resilience, hardship, and deep marginalization. Its people have endured decades of conflict, drought, insecurity, and political neglect. For this reason, the region has always needed strong journalism media that amplifies its pain, exposes injustices, and forces the state to respond. But what happens when journalism itself becomes part of the problem? The recent incident involving a planned joint media interview with a former deputy President was supposed to be a milestone. It was an opportunity for Northern Kenya’s media to finally show the nation that the region could host serious political conversations,…

Somalia once again finds itself standing at a familiar but dangerous crossroads where dialogue is proposed, but trust remains fragile; where national unity is invoked, yet political divisions continue to deepen. The decision by Somalia’s National Future Council, meeting in Nairobi, to conditionally attend talks proposed by the federal government marks both a potential breakthrough and a stark warning about the direction the country is heading. The council’s position is clear and calculated, it is willing to engage, but only if President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud halts all changes to the 2012 Provisional Constitution and redirects the national conversation toward urgent…

Somalia is once again approaching a decisive political moment as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud presses ahead with additional amendments to the country’s provisional constitution amid a deepening election standoff. What the federal government presents as a continuation of long-overdue constitutional reform has instead ignited a serious national dispute, drawing sharp resistance from opposition leaders and key federal member states. With just four months remaining before the scheduled presidential election, the controversy has exposed long-standing tensions over power, federalism, and the legitimacy of Somalia’s political institutions. At the center of the crisis is President Mohamud’s decision to instruct the Constitutional Review…

The political temperature around North Eastern Kenya rose sharply after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua publicly questioned the performance, integrity, and accountability of leaders from the region. His remarks touching on underdevelopment, misuse of public funds, and leadership failure came at a time when North Eastern continues to grapple with devastating drought, fragile health systems, and decades-old infrastructure gaps. Gachagua’s argument, stripped of politics, rested on two claims: that despite devolution and billions allocated to counties, North Eastern Kenya remains underdevelope, and that regional leaders must be held accountable for this reality.  These statements resonated with some national figures…

Political activity in Wajir County is steadily gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 General Elections, with a growing number of aspirants positioning themselves for various elective seats. Among those preparing to seek office is Ahmed Abdishakur, widely known as Ndugu Shaks, the former Director of Communications and Press Service for the County Government of Wajir during the administration of Governor Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Mohamed (MAM). Ahmed Abdishakur has emerged as a key contender for the Waberi Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) seat, bringing with him a background shaped by both grassroots experiences and senior public service roles.  His…

What was scheduled as a routine roundtable interview between Northern Kenya media practitioners and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua instead detonated into one of the most confrontational political moments the region has witnessed since the beginning of devolution. The interview, initially canceled by an umbrella body representing local radio stations and digital platforms, was later partially aired yet even in its disrupted form, its impact was seismic. Speaking with urgency, Gachagua accused political leaders from Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Marsabit, and Turkana of abandoning their people, looting public funds, intimidating journalists, and insulating themselves in Nairobi and Dubai while ordinary…

The last‑minute cancellation of a planned roundtable interview between Northern Kenya media outlets and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has triggered a conversation that goes far beyond a single broadcast. At its core lies a difficult but necessary question: were the region’s media practitioners exercising principled editorial judgment, or did political pressure and caution shape their decision? The interview, scheduled for Thursday evening, January 22, was meant to bring together multiple local radio stations and digital media platforms from Northern Kenya in a moderated discussion with Gachagua. Its abrupt cancellation, announced just hours before airtime, immediately drew attention not only…