Journalist, trade unionist and Wiper Party Iftin Ward candidate Siyat Abdi Gedi has unveiled a 12-point manifesto centred on youth empowerment, women’s inclusion, healthcare, water, infrastructure and accountable representation.
Mr. Siyat Gedi led a group of Garissa County Wiper aspirants in receiving party leader and presidential candidate Kalonzo Musyoka during his visit to Garissa, where they discussed strengthening grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In an exclusive manifesto shared with RTG Digital, Mr. Siyat Gedi places unity, opportunity and progress at the centre of his proposed leadership agenda, with a focus on youth empowerment, women’s participation, education, healthcare, water, infrastructure and accountable governance.
Mr. Siyat Gedi says his approach would be anchored on the constitutional responsibilities of a Member of the County Assembly—representation, legislation, oversight and public participation—rather than promises extending beyond the mandate of the county government.
A major component of the manifesto is youth empowerment. Mr. Siyat Gedi proposes advocacy for increased county funding for youth enterprise and livelihood programmes, greater access to county procurement opportunities, digital skills training, entrepreneurship, sports and creative-economy initiatives.
He also proposes at least two youth empowerment and accountability forums annually, alongside a published annual summary of youth opportunities available in the ward.
On women’s inclusion, Mr. Siyat Gedi proposes regular consultation forums and the establishment of a Ward Women’s Advisory Council to provide a structured platform for women to participate in development discussions and decision-making.
The manifesto also identifies agriculture, livestock and food security as key priorities, with proposed interventions including improved livestock markets, stronger value chains, water infrastructure, climate adaptation and support for producer groups and cooperatives.
𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞
On education, Gedi promises to push for transparent and merit-based bursary allocation, improved Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) facilities and expanded access to vocational and technical skills.
The manifesto proposes stronger engagement with schools, madrassas, parents and other education stakeholders, alongside mentorship and career guidance programmes for young people.
In healthcare, Gedi says an MCA should use oversight powers to monitor health facilities serving Iftin residents, including staffing, availability of essential medicines and quality of services.
He also highlights maternal, newborn and child health, community health promotion and support for vulnerable households, older persons and people with disabilities.
𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞
Water and sanitation feature prominently in the manifesto, with Gedi proposing expansion and rehabilitation of water pipelines and storage facilities, rainwater harvesting and stronger monitoring of county-funded water projects.
He proposes a public tracker for priority water and sanitation projects, allowing residents to follow implementation progress.
On infrastructure, the candidate proposes greater attention to roads, drainage, street lighting, public spaces and flood-management infrastructure.
His climate resilience agenda includes drought preparedness, water conservation, livestock resilience, environmental restoration and tree planting.
The manifesto also proposes stronger engagement with traders and small businesses through improved access to county enterprise opportunities, markets, licensing services and support for SMEs, cooperatives and SACCOs.
𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Good governance is presented as the central pillar holding the manifesto together.
Mr. Siyat Gedi proposes quarterly public accountability barazas, an annual Iftin Ward Performance Report and public disclosure of development priorities and progress.
He also commits to tracking county-funded projects through County Assembly oversight and establishing accessible channels through which residents can submit complaints and feedback.
The manifesto proposes village-level consultations, participatory budgeting and greater representation of youth, women, persons with disabilities and other groups in ward-level development discussions.
Siyat Gedi further commits to attending County Assembly sessions and committee responsibilities, remaining accessible to residents and reporting annually on his performance.
He says he would represent residents regardless of clan, gender, religion, age, disability or social status.
“Listen before deciding, consult before advocating, and report back after acting,” Gedi states in his leadership covenant.
The candidate’s manifesto also contains a commitment not to promise functions belonging to other levels of government, saying an MCA should use the powers of the office responsibly.
Mr. Siyat Gedi is seeking to represent Iftin Ward in the 2027 General Election, with his campaign branding centred on the message: “Unity, Opportunity, Progress for All.”
