Let our voices count not just in numbers but at the ballot - MP Keynan to NEP residents

The lawmaker urged eligible residents across the region to register as voters

by STEPHEN ASTARIKO

North-eastern06 October 2025 - 16:10

In Summary

The long-serving MP challenged the residents not to let the moment pass, noting that it is their duty, right, and responsibility – to themselves, their children, and future generations.
He said the only way the Somali community can show gratitude to President Ruto is by registering in large numbers as voters and using their numbers to ensure his re-election

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Eldas MP Adan Keynan has called on residents of North Eastern to ensure their numbers count by registering as voters during the ongoing continuous voter registration exercise.

The lawmaker, who chairs the Northern Kenya Parliamentary Group, urged eligible residents across the region to register as voters.

He was speaking during a resource mobilisation event in support of small-scale traders affected by the recent Sug-Mugdi fire tragedy in Garissa Township Constituency, in the company of, among other leaders, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

The electoral commission announced the resumption of continuous registration last week.

“As a region, we must say that we are living in a historic moment thanks to the government's decision to scrap the vetting requirement that had long hindered residents of the region from obtaining IDs,” Keynan said.

He added: “Today, that barrier has been lifted. This bold move speaks to leadership that listens, understands, and acts in the interest of the people – especially communities like ours, which have long been sidelined.”

The long-serving MP challenged the residents not to let the moment pass, noting that it is their duty, right, and responsibility – to themselves, their children, and future generations.

He said the only way the Somali community can show gratitude to President Ruto is by registering in large numbers as voters and using their numbers to ensure his re-election.

“I have been in politics and in Parliament for a good number of years. And I can tell you without any fear of contradiction that President Ruto stands out as the only one who has made our people truly feel like Kenyan citizens. The development initiatives are there for everyone to see,” Keynan said.

Keynan added that the Somali community, just like other communities, are citizens of the country and have equal rights to live anywhere in Kenya without being subjected to harassment or mistreatment.

He scoffed at those who take issue whenever development projects are extended to the region.

Keynan also lauded the region for taking the exercise seriously, saying the current numbers were proof of that.

New data released by the IEBC shows that the three counties of Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera collectively registered 561 new voters, surpassing the entire western bloc, which recorded 489.

“In just one week since this exercise began, I am proud to announce that North Eastern is leading the entire country in new ID registrations. This shows the hunger of our people to finally be recognized, to be counted, and to shape the future of this nation,” Keynan said.

Keynan further revisited the challenges the region has faced in the education sector, where non-local teachers left following cases of insecurity orchestrated by al-Shabaab militants.

He, however, said the issue of teacher shortage has since been addressed following the government's move to remove subject cluster combinations, which he noted was the biggest impediment.

Also present were Health CS Aden Duale, President’s aide Faruk Kibet, Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.

Others included MPs Farah Maalim, Abdikadir Hussein, Japhet Nyakundi, Mwengi Mutuse, Mohamed Abdi, Mohamed Adow, and ODM Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun.