ABDIRASHID: Beyond Loyalty: Why Northern Kenya must diversify its political bets

Hon. Mustafa Abdirashid Ahmed MCA Iftin and current Deputy Speaker of Garissa County Assembly

For decades, Northern Kenya has walked a well-worn political path aligning itself, almost without fail, with the ruling administration.

This loyalty, once seen as a pragmatic strategy to secure development and recognition, has turned into a risky habit.

Like a business that invests all its capital in one volatile venture, the region has placed all its political eggs in one basket for far too long.

The result? Missed opportunities, broken promises, and a growing disillusionment among citizens who see little return on their unwavering support.

Just as savvy investors spread their risk across multiple sectors, political leaders must also learn to diversify their alliances.

This principle is neither rebellious nor radical; it is simply wise. In mature democracies, regions and communities weigh their options carefully, choosing alignments not based on tradition or tribal pressure, but on tangible results and evolving national dynamics.

Northern Kenya must now embrace this kind of political maturity. The stakes are high. Our region lags behind in infrastructure, education, water security, and economic opportunities.

Despite voting overwhelmingly for administration-backed candidates in successive elections, our communities still face the same perennial struggles; insecurity, drought mismanagement, poor roads, and underfunded institutions.

This calls for a serious rethinking of our political strategy. The notion of DCP party aka Wamunyoro, which has emerged as a critical voice in current national discourse, offers a fresh lens through which we can reimagine political engagement.

Rooted in courage, defiance, and principle, Wamunyoro represents a broader coalition of interests, citizens and leaders who are tired of sycophancy and ready to demand accountability. It is not just about being in the opposition, it is about being where your voice matters and your demands are not just heard, but acted upon.

The same can be said for joining or supporting alternative political formations; opposition coalitions, issue-based alliances, or regionally focused parties.

These platforms create bargaining power. They allow communities to negotiate from a position of strength rather than dependence.

Imagine what could happen if Northern Kenya walked into a national conversation not as a passive supporter of a ruling party but as a pivotal swing region with its own demands, agenda, and red lines. Of course, such a shift will require courage.

There will be resistance from those who have benefited from the status quo, leaders who rose through blind loyalty and now fear competition or disruption. But the people’s needs must come first. Our youth are unemployed not because of lack of potential, but because the region is perpetually absent from serious policy conversations.

Our hospitals suffer not due to lack of national funds, but because our leadership lacks leverage. That leverage comes from political relevance and political relevance comes from unpredictability and strength in numbers.

Some may argue that being in government is the only path to development. But that logic has failed us for years. Being in government without power or influence is like being in a room where decisions are made, but having no seat at the table.

Even counties and regions that have consistently voted for the opposition have seen greater progress because they demand it, negotiate for it, and refuse to be ignored. Consider how other regions have approached politics; the Mount Kenya region has mastered the art of negotiating power, even when not fielding a presidential candidate.

The coastal and Nyanza regions through shifting alliances, have consistently pushed their economic and cultural interests into the national spotlight.

It’s time Northern Kenya learns from these examples and recognizes that strategy, not submission, is what earns respect. Moreover, diversifying our political voice doesn’t mean we reject peace or national unity. On the contrary, it strengthens it.

A democracy where every region is free to choose its path without coercion or fear is one that truly works for everyone. Our region must send a clear message; development is not a favour, it is a right. And if it takes recalibrating our political loyalties to claim that right, then so be it. As we look to future elections, the call to action is clear.

Leaders must stop parroting pro-administration mantras that yield no results.

Communities must begin to ask hard questions. What has our loyalty earned us? How many projects were completed in our counties since we last voted? How many of our youth have benefitted from government programs? How often do our issues dominate national debate? If the answers are disappointing, then our political direction must change.

Northern Kenya stands at a crossroads. We can continue down the familiar road of blind loyalty, or we can take a bold turn toward strategic independence.

Let us become a region known not just for voting en masse, but for voting smart. Let us use our numbers, our unity, and our historical strength to demand better representation, better policies, and a better future.

The time has come to move beyond loyalty. It’s time to embrace political strategy.

The writer is the MCA for Iftin Ward and current Deputy Speaker of Garissa County Assembly