Author: Abdihakim Siyad

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…

In recent years, TikTok has evolved from a casual entertainment app into one of the most influential forces shaping youth behavior across the world. In Somali communities particularly in Eastleigh, Nairobi, and across North Eastern Kenya this influence is no longer subtle. It is visible on the streets, in public spaces, and increasingly in police stations. What began as short, playful videos has turned into a troubling trend where some young people engage in risky, disruptive, and culturally inappropriate behavior purely for views, likes, and online attention. From harassing pedestrians in Eastleigh to staging dangerous stunts on highways in North Eastern…

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…