Dadaab leaders rally residents to embrace peaceful campaigns ahead of 2027 polls

A section of political, community, youth and women leaders in Dadaab have renewed calls for peaceful political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The leaders warned that heightened political activity could create security vulnerabilities that may be exploited by Al-Shabaab militants.

The leaders spoke during the official campaign launch of Dadaab parliamentary aspirant Abdikheir Abdullahi Dubo, who is seeking to unseat incumbent MP Farah Maalim on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

Dubo, who is commonly known as Kheirow narrowly lost to Maalim in the 2022 General Election.

While pledging their support for President William Ruto's re-election bid, the leaders maintained that the campaign period must remain peaceful and issue-based, saying Dadaab cannot afford to return to the insecurity that once plagued the region.

Bordering Somalia, Dadaab has for years borne the brunt of terrorist attacks orchestrated by the Al-Shabaab militant group, with security officers and civilians among those who lost their lives.

However, the area has enjoyed relative calm over the last two years following intensified security operations.

Speaking at the event, Dubo urged residents and politicians to remain vigilant throughout the campaign period, cautioning that terrorists could exploit the concentration of political rallies and public gatherings to launch attacks.

"We are going to an election and everyone will be busy. I kindly request all Kenyans, and particularly those from northern Kenya, to continue supporting our security agencies so that during this election period, Al-Shabaab or their sympathisers do not take advantage of the many political gatherings," Dubo said.

"We know our history and where we have come from. Our security personnel are doing a fantastic job of keeping our borders safe and ensuring that we go about our daily lives without fear. Once we don't have security, then we cannot do anything," he added.

He lauded security agencies for restoring peace in the region but stressed that maintaining the gains made would require cooperation between residents and security officers.

He also called on politicians to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and divisive politics, saying peace should take precedence over political competition.

He used the occasion to reaffirm the communities unwavering support for President William Ruto's second-term bid, saying leaders from northern Kenya had reached a consensus to back his re-election.

“As leaders we want to assure the president that we will mobilise support for his e-election across northern Kenya using our own resources and established political networks. I am personally confident that the region will  overwhelmingly back his bid in 2027,”he said.

Dertu MCA Adan Hassan Odhowa warned against attempts to divide communities along clan lines, saying such politics could undermine the cohesion that residents have worked hard to build.

"We want to reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and conducting peaceful campaigns. We don't want individuals, whether politicians or residents, who will seek to divide our people along clan lines. Elections will come and go, but our unity must remain intact," he said.

"We want to assure His Excellency President William Ruto that we are going to support him unconditionally for his re-election," Dubo said.

"President Ruto is not a Kalenjin president, neither is he a Rift Valley president. He is the President of Kenya who has demonstrated through actions that he is committed to ensuring equitable distribution of national resources while uniting the country.

As leaders from northern Kenya, we may have our political differences, but when it comes to the presidency, we are united in supporting President Ruto's re-election."

Even as they pledged their political support, the leaders appealed to the Head of State to prioritise key development projects in the region.

Top on their agenda was the tarmacking of the Modika-Dadaab-Liboi road, which they described as a critical economic corridor that has remained neglected despite repeated promises.

"We appreciate what the President has done for the people of northern Kenya, but we have one humble request. We ask the government to prioritise the tarmacking of the Modika-Dadaab-Liboi road. This is a promise that dates back to the tenure of former MP Dr Mohamed Dahiye, yet almost four years later it remains unfulfilled," Dubo said.

Leaders who spoke also renewed calls for the reopening of the Kenya-Somalia border, saying the move would significantly boost cross-border trade and improve the livelihoods of residents who depend on commerce between the two countries.

"We also want to request the President to consider reopening the Kenya-Somalia border. This is a request we have consistently made and one we believe the government will honour. At the same time, the Modika-Dadaab-Liboi road must be tarmacked because it remains an economic lifeline for our people," Hussein Mohamed an elder said.