Author: Abdihakim Siyad

For years, negotiated democracy has been presented as the political lifeline of North Eastern Kenya. Clan elders would meet, vet candidates, distribute key political seats, and argue that consensus was the only way to preserve peace in a fragile region. That system once served a purpose. Today, however, it is increasingly being questioned and rightly so. As early campaigns for the August 2027 General Elections gain momentum, a noticeable shift is taking place across Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera. Young people are stepping forward to contest for governor, MP, and MCA seats without waiting for elders’ endorsements. This is not a…

This week, Donald Trump once again mentioned “Somalia” and “Somalis” multiple times so often that it feels like he has made the country a permanent part of his political speech. His anti-Somali rhetoric even reached the global stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he spent minutes attacking Somalia and Somalis. The irony is that Trump’s repeated references to Somalia do not show Somalia’s weakness they show his desperation. His script is designed to paint Somalia as a symbol of failure, a place that confirms his worldview. But the truth is that Somalia has changed. The country is not…

Raila Odinga’s death marked a major turning point in Kenyan politics. For decades, Raila had been the face of ODM, the party that became a symbol of opposition and change in Kenya. His leadership united many communities and shaped the political narrative of the country. His absence, therefore, left many questioning the future of ODM. Would the party remain strong, or would it fall into internal divisions and factionalism? MP Junet Mohammed, a long-time ally of Raila and a senior ODM leader, has been quick to dismiss claims that the party is collapsing. His comments suggest that ODM is not…

As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, political alliances are already shaping up across the country. For ODM, the future of the party is not just about surviving after the loss of Raila Odinga, but about how it positions itself strategically in the next political cycle. Minority leader Junet Mohammed, one of the party’s senior leaders, has shared a clear picture of ODM’s direction: a broad coalition, careful negotiations, and a commitment to maintaining the party’s independence. Junet’s statements suggest that ODM is not panicking or collapsing, but is actively preparing for a future where political success depends on partnerships and…

In the wake of Raila Odinga’s defeat in the 2022 presidential election, many political analysts and supporters have been searching for the reasons behind the loss. Some blame internal party issues, while others point to external interference. MP Junet Mohammed has offered his own version of events, one that combines both strategic mistakes and alleged betrayal by political actors who were expected to support Raila. Junet Mohammed is not a casual observer. He has been closely associated with Raila since he was 24 years old, and he has served in key leadership roles within ODM. He was Raila’s trusted ally…

Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has issued a sharp rebuke to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying he lacks the moral authority to lecture northern leaders on corruption. The governor made the remarks during the launch of the ECDE school meals program and sanitary kits initiative in Wajir County, where he strongly defended the region’s record on the use of devolved funds. Governor Abdullahi’s response came days after Gachagua accused northern leaders of graft and mismanagement, claiming the region is under-developed because of corruption.  “If you were fired as a government officer for selling relief maize, you lack the moral…

On January 20, 2026, during a White House press briefing marking the first anniversary of his second term, President Donald Trump once again directed harsh remarks toward Somalia. He described Somalia as “not even a country,” claiming it lacks anything resembling a functioning state. He insisted that if Somalia is a country, it is “just about the worst in the world.” These statements were not isolated. They came alongside personal attacks on Somali-American Representative Ilhan Omar, whom he described as coming from a “backward country,” and remarks labeling Somali immigrants as “low IQ” and accusing them of widespread fraud. He…

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is expected to travel to New York, United States, where he will preside over a session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) a historic moment that will make him the first Somali president to chair a Security Council meeting. Beyond its symbolic weight, the event represents a significant shift in Somalia’s international posture, reflecting the country’s evolving role from a state long defined by crisis to one increasingly asserting itself within global diplomatic structures. For much of the past three decades, Somalia has appeared before the Security Council primarily…

Kenya’s northern counties have long been neglected in national development plans, often treated as a political afterthought rather than a strategic priority. For decades, the Isiolo–Mandera corridor remained a promise without progress a plan without execution a road without a foundation. Now, under the current administration, the government is not only reviving the 740-kilometre tarmac project but is also deploying an unprecedented security strategy to protect the road’s construction.  The question now is whether this project will truly deliver transformation or become another politically timed initiative in a country preparing for elections. From Neglect to “Project of National Importance”: Why This…

Online forex trading has become one of the most powerful and controversial digital phenomena shaping Somali youth culture today. Marketed as a fast track to wealth, freedom, and luxury, forex has flooded social media timelines with images of young people posing beside expensive cars, luxury apartments, and stacks of cash, all supposedly earned from trading currencies online. Behind this glamorous digital image, however, lies a much darker reality one defined by financial loss, mental health struggles, online scams, and a growing culture of deception. The Rise of Forex Culture Among African Youth Over the past decade, access to smartphones, mobile internet, and trading…