Daandi Qarooma

Thursday, 11th September will be remembered as a historic day in Isiolo County, a day when thousands gathered, not for conflict or division, but for healing! A day for unity, peace, and reconciliation. Led by the Governor of Isiolo, the peace and reconciliation rally was attended by prominent leaders including Isiolo North MP Hon. Samal, the Deputy Governor, the County MP, the Isiolo Speaker, and twelve out of eighteen MCAs. Together, they stood before the people with one message: peace in the best interest of Isiolo.

The event, which drew a remarkable crowd of over 5,000 residents from all walks of life, was a powerful expression of the people’s exhaustion with the prolonged wrangles that had paralyzed progress in the county. Ordinary citizens made their voices heard, demanding service delivery and an end to political bickering. The Governor, in his address, urged the remaining MCAs still holding out to embrace peace and join the collective effort of building Isiolo.

The rally highlighted the heavy toll the wrangles had already inflicted on the county. Essential projects, such as the repair of water points, had stalled due to disputes over the release of funds from the Exchequer, leaving residents to suffer needlessly. The message from the people was clear: enough is enough. Development cannot wait for endless quarrels.

The Governor took the congregation through the achievements of his Government the past three years, such as the completion of the Export Abbatoir, the sinking of 68 Boreholes, the Construction of 30 plus ECDE Centers, 8 Health facilities, a state of the Art Accident and Emergency at ICTRH, a three tier Wards at Bisan Biliqo among others.

The Governor reiterated to need to deliver on our mandates and leave campaigns for the right time.He bragged that his joining hands with his closest competitor during the 2022 elections is sure to grant them a landslide come 2027, but said we leave that for the right time. Now is the time to deliver and I’m ready to work with all leaders to deliver to the best interest of the electorate, he said.

Each of the twelve MCAs present took the opportunity to affirm their commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Governor to deliver on their shared mandate. Their pledges symbolized a turning point, a collective resolve to prioritize the needs of Isiolo residents over political disagreements.

The energy of the day was amplified by a unifying slogan that reverberated through the rally: a call to give both the President of Kenya and the Governor of Isiolo the opportunity to serve two terms. The two term slogan was also repeated for Hon. Samal and Hon. Mumina. This sentiment reflected the people’s confidence in leadership that has shown resilience, calm, and steadfastness amid challenges.

The rally’s theme, “One Isiolo! One People! One Voice!” stood out as more than just a slogan, it became a living testament to the aspirations of the community. It captured the spirit of reconciliation, unity, and a shared determination to move forward as one.

Indeed, this was no ordinary day. It was the birth of a renewed chapter for Isiolo County. A day when leaders and citizens alike came together to set aside division, to chart a common course, and to declare that the future of Isiolo lies in peace, unity, and progress.

In every society, leadership is entrusted with the noble responsibility of safeguarding the collective welfare of the people. Yet, when political ambition is guided not by service but by ego and self-interest, it gives birth to plots and schemes that disrupt peace, divide communities, and undermine progress. Isiolo County is no stranger to such political theatrics, where a section of the political class has consistently devised evil plots, not to advance the common good, but to discredit the Governor for their own egocentric gains.

The mischief has been visible and destructive. It began with a reckless impeachment attempt against the Governor, a move that crumbled under the weight of its own falsehoods. Unfazed by this failure, the same actors resorted to seizing the County Assembly, unleashing chaos marked by looting, acts of arson, and deliberate harassment of those who dared to hold divergent views. Their disregard for the rule of law became evident through multiple acts of contempt against court orders, undermining the very institutions meant to safeguard justice. Most recently, they have escalated their schemes by fabricating criminal charges against the Governor and his team, a culmination of malicious plots designed not to serve the people, but to settle political scores.

This reckless pursuit of power at the expense of stability raises a fundamental moral question: how long will such leaders gamble with the destiny of their people for short-term interests? It is in moments like these that the eternal wisdom of the Qur’an offers a timeless reminder. Allah, in Surah An-Nahl (16:45–47), warns:

Arabic:
أَفَأَمِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مَكَرُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن يَخْسِفَ ٱللَّهُ بِهِمُ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ أَوۡ يَأۡتِيَهُمُ ٱلۡعَذَابُ مِنۡ حَيۡثُ لَا يَشۡعُرُونَ ﴿٤٥﴾
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ فِي تَقَلُّبِهِمۡ فَمَا هُم بِمُعۡجِزِينَ ﴿٤٦﴾
أَوۡ يَأۡخُذَهُمۡ عَلَىٰ تَخَوُّفٖۚ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمۡ لَرَءُوفٞ رَّحِيمٞ ﴿٤٧﴾

English (Saheeh International):

45. Do those who plot evil feel secure that Allah will not cause the earth to swallow them, or that the punishment will not come upon them from where they do not perceive?
46. Or that He would not seize them during their going about, and they could not cause failure [to Him]?
47. Or that He would not seize them gradually [with loss]? But indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.

These verses highlight the dangerous arrogance of those who conspire against truth and justice. They remind us that while human beings may conceal their motives and manipulate systems, nothing is hidden from Allah. The illusion of power blinds some into believing they can act with impunity, yet divine justice remains ever-watchful. Retribution may come suddenly, in ways least expected, and no amount of influence or alliances can shield the wrongdoer from the consequences of their schemes.

For Isiolo, a county blessed with diversity, potential, and resilience, such political mischief only delays progress. Discrediting leadership through malice does not have on the Governor alone—it destabilizes institutions, sows discord among citizens, and stalls development that the people urgently need. Political leaders must, therefore, rise above selfish ambitions and embrace integrity, truth, and accountability.

The Qur’an’s concluding note in these verses is equally instructive: “But indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful.” This serves both as a warning and a hope. While divine justice is certain, Allah also extends mercy to those who repent, reform, and choose the path of righteousness. For the political class of Isiolo, the lesson is clear: abandon the politics of deceit and destruction, and instead, channel energy into building harmony, fostering growth, and serving the people with sincerity.

History judges harshly those who sabotage their own communities for selfish gain, but it honors those who stand firm for justice, unity, and service. May Isiolo’s leaders heed this reminder and walk the path of responsibility—for the people, for posterity, and above all, before Allah.

In the face of political distractions and relentless detractors, Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo has chosen the higher path of leadership, one defined not by endless bickering but by steadfast commitment to the people he serves. His maiden responsibility, as he has repeatedly emphasized, is to serve the residents of Isiolo with zeal, dedication, and the resolve deserving of a true leader.

Just yesterday, the Governor took a bold step by reorganizing his cabinet, reducing the number of Chief Officers from 33 to a lean 21, in strict alignment with the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) advisory. This move was not merely administrative but symbolic: a deliberate effort to streamline governance, cut costs, and rid the County Executive of unnecessary residual liabilities. In doing so, Governor Guyo has demonstrated that accountability and prudence will remain cornerstones of his administration.

Since the foiled impeachment attempt, the Governor has exercised remarkable restraint. Where many would have engaged in political theatrics or retaliatory maneuvers, he instead guided his support base to steer clear of unnecessary drama and provocations. This calm resolve reflects maturity and an unwavering focus on what truly matters—the delivery of services to the people of Isiolo.

In less than two months, tangible development milestones have begun to shape Isiolo’s landscape. The long-awaited Modogashe water piping project has been completed, quenching a century-long thirst and offering a lifeline to the people of Modogashe. Alongside this, the Governor presided over the opening of the Elsa and Gafarsa water projects, further cementing his commitment to solving water scarcity in the county. Health and education have not been left behind: the Lengaruma Dispensary is now operational, and new Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers complete with modern toilet facilities have been inaugurated in Epiding and Tractor Centers. To complement agricultural productivity, Elsa center’s water storage facility  have been rolled out, empowering farmers with the water resource they need to sustain livelihoods.

Security, a cornerstone of any thriving community, has also received keen attention. In Gotu, the Governor’s collaboration with security agencies has yielded significant victories against livestock thieves, culminating in the successful recovery of stolen cattle. This not only restores livelihoods but also rebuilds confidence in county leadership as a custodian of the people’s welfare.

Even as political rivals, emboldened by alliances with disruptive elements, attempt to derail progress, Governor Guyo has remained focused on development. His administration recently delivered medical supplies worth Ksh 28 million to Isiolo’s health facilities, ensuring that essential drugs are within reach for countless residents who rely on public healthcare.

In all these efforts, Governor Abdi Guyo has chosen to let his work speak louder than words. He has proven that the true essence of leadership lies not in responding to detractors but in responding to the needs of the people. As Isiolo charts a new path under his stewardship, it is clear that his vision is one of triumph, resilience, and steady developmental progression.

History records the Southern Kushites as among the earliest inhabitants of present-day Kenya, long before the arrival of the Bantu from the Congo Basin. This is not a matter of rivalry, but of fact,  and with due respect to our brothers and sisters from Central Kenya, it must be said: Kenyan Somalis are not second-class citizens.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has, on multiple occasions, profiled the Somali community, branding us “aliens” and “Al-Shabaab,” and even suggesting that protests should be directed toward Eastleigh, a thriving commercial hub built by the hard work of Somali entrepreneurs. Such remarks are not only demeaning but dangerous, as they fuel division and undermine national unity.

Most recently, Mr. Gachagua’s claim that President William Ruto met “Al-Shabaab operatives” during his visit to Northern Kenya was a reckless affront, not just to the leaders who welcomed him, but to the dignity of an entire region. Such rhetoric diminishes Kenya’s global image and disrespects citizens who have consistently contributed to this nation’s growth and security.

Kenya’s liberation from colonial rule was a collective struggle. Every community fought its own battles in its own lands,  no group holds a monopoly on patriotism or sacrifice. The idea that one region’s history of resistance, regardless of its proximity to the City, makes it “more Kenyan” than another is both false and divisive.

Kenyan Somalis are not outsiders. We are part of the country’s ancient roots, contributors to its economy, defenders of its borders, and stakeholders in its future. It is time for our Kenyan brethrens, to embrace this truth and reject the politics of ethnic hierarchy.

In the interest of national cohesion, Mr. Gachagua must understand: Kenyan Somalis will never be second fiddle in the orchestra of our nation.

The hardest lesson I have had to learn as an adult is the relentless need to keep going, no matter how broken I feel inside.
This truth is raw, unfiltered, and painfully universal. Life doesn’t stop when we are exhausted, when our hearts are shattered, or when our spirits feel threadbare. It keeps moving, unyielding, indifferent, demanding that we keep pace. There is no pause button for grief, no intermission for healing, no moment where the world gently steps aside and allows us to mend. Life expects us to carry our burdens in silence, to push forward despite the weight of all we carry inside.
The cruelest part? No one really prepares us for this. As children, we are fed stories of resilience wrapped in neat, hopeful endings, tales where pain has purpose and every storm clears to reveal a bright horizon. But adulthood strips away those comforting illusions. It teaches us that survival is rarely poetic. More often than not, it’s about showing up when you’d rather disappear, smiling through pain no one sees, and carrying on despite feeling like you’re unraveling from the inside out.
And yet, somehow, we persevere. That’s the quiet miracle of being human. Even when life is relentless, even when hope feels distant, we keep moving. We stumble, we break, we fall to our knees—but we get up. And in doing so, we uncover a strength we never knew we had. We learn to comfort ourselves in the ways we wish others would. We become the voice of reassurance we once searched for. Slowly, we realize that resilience isn’t always about grand acts of bravery; sometimes, it’s just a whisper—“Keep going.”
Yes, it’s exhausting. Yes, it’s unfair. And yes, there are days when the weight of it all feels unbearable. But every small step forward is proof that we haven’t given up. That we are still fighting, still holding on, still refusing to let the darkness consume us. That quiet defiance, choosing to exist, to try, to hope, is the bravest thing we can do.
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What’s the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn as an adult, and how has it shaped you?