Isiolo elders slam MCAs for fleeing wards amid Governor Abdi Guyo impeachment storm

Elders follow proceedings of the press briefing held in Isiolo town. (Photo: Handout)

By Lucy Mumbi
Monday, June 23, 2025

The elders cast doubt on the MCAs’ claim that they fled Isiolo due to threats to their safety. They argued that the ward representatives’ sudden disappearance appeared calculated to avoid pressure from community members and stakeholders pushing for peaceful dialogue.

Isiolo Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have been put on the spot for abdicating their constituents’ responsibilities amid the impeachment motion against Governor Abdi Guyo.

Religious leaders and elders say the ward representatives have been missing from their wards for several days, and are evading dialogue efforts aimed at resolving the political standoff.

More To Read

In a press briefing held in Isiolo town, the elders, drawn from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, criticised the MCAs’ continued absence, accusing them of fleeing accountability and community engagement after tabling the impeachment notice against the county boss.

“We are concerned that our MCAs have gone missing since the motion was tabled. They are not reachable and have switched off their phones. Meanwhile, their families are still living here in the same environment they claim is unsafe,” National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) Chairperson, Sheikh Ibrahim Mohamed Qabale, said.

Other leaders who spoke included Chairperson of the Somali Council of Elders Abdulkadir Shariff Abdullahi, Chairperson of the Ameru Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders Geoffrey Kinyua Nabea and Chairperson of Minority Communities in Isiolo, Sarah Muthoni.

The elders cast doubt on the MCAs’ claim that they fled Isiolo due to threats to their safety. They argued that the ward representatives’ sudden disappearance appeared calculated to avoid pressure from community members and stakeholders pushing for peaceful dialogue.

“It is clear this impeachment agenda was not initiated from within Isiolo. Politicians from neighbouring counties are behind it. Our MCAs are being used to settle political scores, and this endangers the peace we’ve worked hard to build,” Abdulkadir said.

The elders warned that such external interference could reignite ethnic tensions in Isiolo, a county that has previously experienced serious intercommunal conflict.

Ekwan Teru, a Turkana elder and former Ngaremara MCA, named specific leaders as the forces behind the political tension in the county.

A section of the Elders during the press briefing held in Isiolo town. (Photo: Handout)

“The Marsabit Governor and the Mandera Senator should stay away from Isiolo politics. Let them focus on their counties and allow us to resolve our issues internally,” Teru said.

He recalled the dark days of ethnic violence in the county, warning that the political manoeuvring could plunge the region back into a state of fear and insecurity.

“Back then, people wouldn’t leave their homes. They relieved themselves in buckets because they feared attacks. We do not want to go back there,” he said.

The elders also urged caution ahead of a scheduled public participation exercise, warning that pushing ahead with it in a confrontational manner could trigger unnecessary tensions.

“We demand full adherence to court orders. Any attempt to carry out public participation by force could result in clashes between the Governor’s supporters and those behind his ouster,” Geoffrey Nabea said.