Author: Abdihakim Siyad

Somalia’s political tensions dramatically escalated on Wednesday as Hassan Sheikh Mohamud used his Eid al-Adha address in Mogadishu to launch one of his strongest verbal attacks yet against opposition leaders, warning that the federal government would not tolerate insecurity, political disruption, or what he described as attempts to drag the country backwards. Speaking shortly after Eid prayers attended by government officials, religious leaders, security commanders and members of the public, the Somali president delivered an emotionally charged speech that mixed religious messaging with sharp political criticism. His remarks came at a time when Somalia is facing increasing political uncertainty over…

Leaders in Wajir County on Wednesday joined hundreds of Muslim faithful at the Hodhan Primary School playground in Wajir Town for Eid al-Adha prayers, using the occasion to rally residents ahead of the county’s historic hosting of this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations. The Eid prayers brought together political leaders, religious figures, elders, and residents in a display of unity and shared purpose as the region prepares for one of the most significant national events in its history. Leaders described the upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations as a turning point for the county and the wider North Eastern region, marking the first…

Northern Kenya is witnessing one of the most significant infrastructure transformations in its history as the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project (HoAGDP) takes shape across the region. The ambitious multi-billion-shilling initiative is expected to redefine transport, trade and digital connectivity in counties that for decades struggled with poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities. Backed by the Government of Kenya alongside international development partners including the World Bank and the African Development Bank, the project stretches across Meru, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties. Through road expansion, fibre-optic connectivity and construction of key trade facilities, the project aims to position…

Tuesday, May 26, marks the Day of Arafah, one of the most sacred and spiritually significant days in the Islamic calendar. Observed on the 9th day of Dhul Hijjah, the day comes just before Eid al-Adha and holds deep meaning for millions of Muslims around the world. For pilgrims performing Hajj in the holy city of Mecca, standing at the plains of Arafah is the most important pillar of the pilgrimage. It is on this historic ground that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ delivered his final sermon, a message centered on justice, equality, unity, and faith. Muslims believe that the Day of…

For decades, Northern Kenya stood on the margins of national celebrations, watching major state events unfold from a distance while development remained a promise yet to be fully realized. But this year, history is taking a different direction as Wajir County prepares to host Kenya’s 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations, a landmark occasion many leaders and residents describe as a turning point for the region’s visibility, recognition, and development. As final preparations intensify ahead of the June 1 celebrations, senior government officials have praised the rapid completion of key infrastructure projects in Wajir, particularly the newly constructed 10,000-seater stadium that is…

As Kenyans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, high unemployment, an unstable business environment, and shrinking household incomes, the proposed Finance Bill 2026 has now emerged as the latest national flashpoint, triggering anger, anxiety, and fierce debate across the country. From boda boda riders and small traders to landlords, content creators, digital entrepreneurs, gamblers, and ordinary mobile money users, nearly every Kenyan appears likely to feel the weight of the proposed tax measures if Parliament passes the bill in its current form. What has made the Finance Bill 2026 particularly controversial is not just the number of…

For the first time in Kenya’s history, the national Madaraka Day celebrations are set to be held in Wajir Town, a decision that has instantly transformed the county into a major national political and media spotlight. What was initially viewed as a historic moment of recognition for the marginalized North Eastern region has now evolved into an intense political contest over one central question: who truly lobbied for Wajir to host the celebrations? Behind the scenes, a growing rivalry has emerged between Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi Jiir and Eldas MP Adan Keynan, two influential political figures now publicly and indirectly…

For decades, Wajir County existed in the Kenyan imagination as a distant frontier vast, dry, strategically important, yet often disconnected from the center of national development conversations. Mentioning Wajir in earlier years would often trigger the same narratives, remoteness, underdevelopment, limited infrastructure, harsh climate, and marginalization. It was a county discussed more through absence than possibility, more through what it lacked than what it could become. Today, however, something profound is happening in Wajir. The streets are changing. New roads are cutting across sections that for years struggled with poor accessibility. Modern streetlights now illuminate parts of Wajir town at night,…

Garissa County’s 2027 gubernatorial race is already shaping up to be one of the fiercest and most consequential political contests in Northern Kenya’s recent history. Long before official campaign season begins, political temperatures are rising, alliances are quietly forming, clan calculations are intensifying, and the names dominating conversations in tea shops, mosques, hotels, WhatsApp groups, and political gatherings are becoming impossible to ignore. Four men are emerging as the dominant faces of the battle for the county’s top seat: Ali Bunow, Muktar Shidiye, Dubat Fidow, and Abdul Hajji. Each carries a unique political identity. Each commands different networks of influence.…

The battle for the future of Galmudug has exploded into one of the most consequential political confrontations Somalia has witnessed since President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned to power in 2022. What began as whispers inside Villa Somalia has now evolved into a visible and highly coordinated political operation aimed at reshaping power inside Galmudug a federal member state considered strategically vital to Somalia’s security, electoral arithmetic, and broader federal balance. At the center of this emerging storm stands one man: Liibaan Ahmed Hassan. The ruling Justice and Solidarity Party has now overwhelmingly agreed internally that Liibaan Axmed Xasan will become the…