Senior public sector administrator and Wajir South parliamentary aspirant Dekow Bishar Dahir has questioned the purpose of a recent meeting involving members of the Makabul sub-clan of the larger Ogaden community.
He pressed for clarity on whether the gathering was a genuine consultative forum or a campaign event for the current and outgoing Member of Parliament.
Mr Dahir, who is seeking the Wajir South parliamentary seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in the 2027 General Election, raised questions about the presence of a podium, banners and other campaign materials displaying the pictures of the current and outgoing MP.
Mr Dahir cast doubt on whether the meeting was intended to promote goodwill and unity within the family or to campaign for the sitting Member of Parliament.
“Was this meeting a campaign event for the current and outgoing legislator, or was it a Makabul consultative meeting meant to promote goodwill and unity within the family?” Dahir asked.
He expressed concern over why campaign branding was prominently displayed if the gathering was intended to be a consultative meeting.
Dahir also called for clarification on the participation of several candidates seeking the Wajir South parliamentary seat. He queried why aspirants would attend an event that appeared, in his view, to provide a campaign platform for another candidate.
“If these candidates are all seeking the same MP position, why would they participate in an event that, from what I can see, was more of a campaign activity than a consultative meeting?” he asked.
The aspirant said a genuine consultative meeting should provide an opportunity for dialogue, unity and listening to different views within the family.
“A consultative meeting should be about dialogue, unity, listening to one another, and strengthening the family—not about giving one candidate an apparent campaign platform.”
Dahir called on members of the Makabul family to clarify the nature and purpose of the meeting.
His remarks have placed the spotlight on the role of family and community gatherings in an increasingly competitive political environment, particularly where aspirants seeking the same elective position participate in the same events.
Dahir is vying for the Wajir South parliamentary seat on the UDA ticket in the 2027 General Election.
He has more than 13 years of experience in postal services, logistics and public administration and currently serves as the Regional Postal Manager for the Mt. Kenya Region, where he oversees postal operations across nine counties.
His career has seen him work in Northern Kenya, the Coast, Rift Valley and Mt. Kenya regions, as well as at the organisation’s headquarters. He says the experience has given him a broad understanding of Kenya’s development challenges and the needs of diverse communities.
Dahir says his campaign will be guided by the theme “Prosperity and Growth”, with a focus on improving livelihoods and strengthening public service delivery.
He has pledged to prioritise youth empowerment through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, improve access to quality education and healthcare, expand infrastructure, and invest in water and livestock development to support the constituency’s largely pastoralist economy.
The aspiring legislator has also promised to champion peace, unity and inclusive leadership while promoting transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
Dahir says leadership should be defined by service, integrity and measurable results, adding that he would work closely with residents to address their concerns and advance sustainable development.
