09/01/2026
๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ ๐: ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐ฒ๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก ๐๐ก๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ข ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ
The recent uproar following former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguaโs remarks linking BBS Mall in Eastleigh to alleged proceeds of fraud from Minnesota has triggered an unusually swift reaction from leaders drawn largely from Northern Kenya. Press statements flooded social media, condemning what they termed Somaliphobia, ethnic profiling, and reckless incitement. On the surface, this appeared to be a rare show of unity. But beneath the loud condemnations lies an uncomfortable question: ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ถ๐ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป?
For communities in Northern Kenya, this episode has once again exposed a troubling pattern among their elected representatives leaders who are reactive rather than proactive, vocal when elite interests are threatened, yet lethargic and silent when their own constituents face existential crises such as drought, hunger, and displacement.
The statements issued by leaders including Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Mandera North MP Bashir Abdullahi, and Wajir East MP Aden Daud Mohamed were eloquent, legally detailed, and politically calculated. They fiercely defended the owner of BBS Mall, emphasizing timelines, investment channels, and the long entrepreneurial history of the proprietor. They threatened defamation suits, called on the NCIC to act, and accused Gachagua of ethnic incitement.
Yet, critics argue that this energy is selective.
Northern Kenya is currently grappling with a devastating drought. Livestock deaths, water scarcity, food insecurity, and collapsing livelihoods are everyday realities. Children are out of school, families are migrating in desperation, and entire communities are staring at famine-like conditions. Where were the coordinated press conferences? Where were the joint demands for a nationa