By Betty Luke
Isiolo’s Somali community has told off a section of politicians for allegedly trying to dictate to them who they should meet, talk to or work with.
Led by Somali Council of Elders (SCE) Chair Abdikadir Abdullahi, the community maintained that they had the right to work with and support whichever leader or politician regardless of the community they came from.
“We are not servants to any politician. We have liberty to undertake whatever activity we wish as long as it is not illegal,” said a furious Mr Abdullahi.
According to the elders, a recent apology issued to ex-ASAL Chief Administrative Secretary Abdul Bahari over mistreatment at the recent Somali Cultural Day had irked one of the leaders who allegedly reprimanded the community for reaching out to the former MP.
“We have a right to meet and apologize to any leader we have wronged. That shouldn’t be used against us by anyone,” he added.
Also blamed for creating divisions in the community are a section of county employees of Somali origin.
“We are your parents and we instruct you to immediately cease from meddling into the community affairs. If you are employed just do your work and stop dividing us. We will not allow that,” said elder Abdullahi.
Secretary General Hassan Idle revealed that they would embark on sensitization initiatives to enlighten the community members on their rights and the responsibilities of the county officials.
He said they would put in measures to prevent them from repeating the mistakes they made during the 2022 General Elections.
“We want to educate everyone on their rights for them to understand that they do not need anyone’s approval to be part of their community’s unity quest,” he said.
Other speakers including youth leader Osman Shariff and women leader Fani Mohammud called on the county officials to cease from threats, intimidation and blackmail against the community and to instead do their work.
The two noted that the community was united and ready to follow orders from their elders and not any other person.
“The Somali community has a leadership structure that is headed by the elders.Those are the only people allowed to give instructions. We cannot allow any other person to coerce us for their own selfish gain,” said Mr Shariff.
The community has in the last days been at loggerheads with Governor Abdi Guyo following a Sh2.5 million promise he made during the Cultural Day to support various women groups.
It is alleged that the delays in honouring the promise are linked to the community’s recent apology to Bahari.
