Salah: I want the top job in Wajir County

By:Abdikadir Okash (@Abdikadir Okash)

NAIROBI—Recognized as the vocal voice in the infamous Wagalla Massacre, Salah Abdi Sheikh; born in the outskirts of Leheley District in the South of Wajir County believes he can move thing fast when entrusted with executive position. “You can serve justice only when you have the power,” he said.

An accountant by profession, Salah is the perfect definition of a clan rebel—not your typical armed rebel, but the kind that hate clan system of politics with passion. Even as he seeks the top job in the County of Wajir (where the clan system of politics is rife) he assured he would not seek the blessing of his clansmen for the gubernatorial seat.

Not only that, he doesn’t believe in big “eye-catchy” projects, but a system of recourse-sharing that, if implemented, would directly benefit the people of Wajir County.

I sat with him at his office in Nairobi to talk about his political ambition, the much hyped “Walk of Hope” and, of course, the Wagalla Massacre.

Salah Abdi Sheikh explaining a point during the interview. He authored “Blood on the Runway” a book on Wagalla Massacre. Photo: Abdikadir Okash

Devolution was rolled out in 2013, why did you see it fit to run the gubernatorial seat now?
I wasn’t ready then since I was actively engaged in politics campaigning for a certain (name withheld) candidate in Wajir County. I was also campaigner for Abduba Dida and actively engaged in classes. And, my family too was against the idea of me running for the gubernatorial seat.

Are they alright with it now?
They had to because, come on, if I don’t initiate the change I want to see who will?

In many ways, you’re same as the current Wajir governor, Ahmed Abdullahi: His family lives in Nairobi as did before his election. He’s an accountant and auditor, just like you. You probably are in the same age group. You went to the same school—Starehe Boys Center and later to Nairobi University. I mean, what did he not that you will bring to the table?
To set the record straight, I have never been employed by anyone that’s why I’m asking the people of Wajir to be my first employers. Secondly, I will not only move to Wajir, but every person I appoint for a significant position. And, it’s not about moving to Wajir that will make the difference, it’s the commitment one invests in serving the people.

Politics in Wajir County is based on a clan formula among the three big clans in Wajir. Are you in for that?
I’m here to disturb that clan formula and structure. It’s intentional, anyway. Look, the clan-based politics has not helped us, and sanity tells us that anything that doesn’t work must be disposed of.

Then what’s the option?
Issue based politics. I mean, I want people to hold me accountable not because I’m a member of their clan, or that their clan voted me in. I want them to hold me by the collar because I failed to deliver.

You want to be the governor of Wajir and you said you will not seek the blessing of your clansmen. How’s that?
Yeah, I will not seek their blessing and they already know that. I made it clear to them. I don’t want people to get me wrong: I respect my clansmen and my clan elders so much.

And what about the elites of your clan?
They are divided along issue based and clan based. That’s why I decided to look for organized groups like women and youth groups because those are the people I want to work with.

And you’re pretty much aware it never happened before.
Yeah, I know it. That is why I decided to push for a new way to approach politics so that we can advance our shared interest.

We have a governor already and from the look of things, he will vie again. Why should Wajirians vote you in and him, out?
Firstly, I must admit that he’s done relatively quite a good work—that is why Wajir today looks more of a place that has tasted the fruits of devolution than neighbouring counties…

Then, where did he go wrong that you want to address?
He’s got his priorities wrong. You see, you don’t have to put up facilities that look beneficial in appearance, but are actually useless. That’s why we have a slaughterhouse and open-market structures that have not been occupied. It’s because of misplaced priority that you will see ward administration offices that are located miles away from the people it has to serve. It all comes down to this: Does those multi-million projects directly benefit the Wajirian, or it’s a way of awarding political cronies.

And what will you do differently?
I will introduce social welfare programs and launch literary campaigns to attain at least 20-80 percent literacy. What that basically means is that each person in Wajir will receive a set amount of money as a way of directly benefiting them. It a soft way of breaking the shackles of poverty which, in the long run, will free the people and deal a blow to clan politics while freeing up the minds and thoughts of the people to elect an individual based on issue and not ‘clanism’.

Salah picking his all time favourite book from his office library. He said he read over 1500 books and donated 10% of them to a local university library. He’s currently reading “What the Dog Saw by Malcolm Gladwell. Photo: Abdikadir Okash

Politics aside, you trekked for 1000 km from Garissa to Wajir. Where did it all end up at? And did it serve its purpose?
Of course, it did. We amplified the grievances of the Northerners. We walked to let the whole world see how we’ve been marginalized. We made a documentary out of it and I will probably write a book. We’ve noted the problem and we are setting up libraries in major town to achieve a standard literacy level. Basically, it was a success.

Lastly, let’s talk a bit about Wagalla survivors and victims. What’s the latest update? Are we going to see pompous ceremonies to mark the day without having to benefit the survivors and victims?
I have rallied for their grievances to be addressed. We made several petitions and we have a number of cases in the courts. I have been doing this since 1997 and now, I have decided to lead from the front.

Your parting shot?
I would like the people of Wajir, particularly the youths and the educated lots to change how we approach politics. We should not be complacent with how it’s done now, we must bargain for more. We must create a political atmosphere where we elect leaders who advance our shared interest rather than serving the interest of their cronies.