Farah Maalim launches campaign to unseat Dualle [Pictures]

By: Abdikadir Okash

NAIROBI—Garissa Township hopeful and former deputy speaker in the National Assembly Farah Maalim has Sunday launched his campaign to unseat Majority Leader Aden Duale. The launch happened at Andalus hotel in Eastleigh in a well attended function also graced by Eastleigh Business Community leaders.

Moulid Mohamed, a Somali elder who spoke at the event said it was time the people of the North to elect leaders that would put their interest forth.

Former Eastleigh Business Community chairman, Mr. Gulet after narrating a detailed history of Somalis in Kenya, said the community has suffered a lot and termed Farah Maalim a saviour of the people while urging his competitors to style up their political game.

“Farah Maalim was the most vocal voice in the political establishment who stood with the Somalis when the infamous ‘Usalama Watch’ was launched,” he said.

Usalama Watch was a security campaign launched by the government in March,  2014 to allegedly flush out illegal immigrants and Al Shabab sympathizers. Human rights orgernisations and Somali leaders have termed the operation discriminatory, saying it was meant to hurt the Somali economy. Among the top leaders who addressed the swoop was the Leader of Majority in the National Assembly and Garissa Township legislator, Aden Duale.

Abdi Siyat Osman, a student leader said Farah was a father of the student, “because he seeks sponsorship for those who are not capable of paying their fees.”

Farah, while addressing the huge crowd that attended the event, said he was humbled by the turn-out, adding that he would continue serving the Kenyans. He stated that the position of a parliamentarian was the best to address a national issue, adding that senatorial and gubernatorial were not as significant as an MP.

He said he was sought by Women, youths and Muslims clerics in Garissa for 8 months to vie for the post.

Garissa Township hopeful, Farah Maalim (Middle) with former Eastleigh business leader. Farah wants to unseat Barre Dualle/ Kulan Post

Attendees following the proceeding in Eastleigh. (Photo: Kulan Post)

Farah Maalim went silent as the mid-day Adhan was called in nearby mosque. He stopped his speech to attend the Dhuhr Prayers. (Photo: Kulan Post)

Youths from Garissa attended the function in their numbers. (Photo: Kulan Post)

After the launch, he sat with women where they talked for more than fifteen minutes. (Photo: Facebook)

Selfie time: And he spared some minutes for selfie. (Photo: Kulan Post)