Isiolo County Commissioner warns against politicising security amidst tensions
The commissioner said criminals were taking advantage of the ongoing political standoff to commit offences, and warned that politicians were also exploiting the situation for their own interests.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omonding has cautioned leaders and residents against turning security concerns into political battles, saying criminal activities in the county must be handled independently from political rivalries.
Speaking on Friday after meeting Speaker Banticha Abdullahi, Omonding dismissed claims that recent isolated crimes were linked to the assembly chaos, urging the public to avoid politicising security incidents.
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“Let us not bring politics into security issues. For us, as a security agency, we are very neutral. We must be neutral so that we don’t align ourselves with any faction,” he said.
His remarks came amid growing tension in Isiolo, where unrest followed the attempted impeachment of Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo.
Several leaders and social media users have accused rival political groups of sponsoring violence, including allegations that a popular TikToker from Bulapesa died after being attacked by assembly-linked goons.
Omonding refuted the claims, clarifying that the individual had been involved in a traffic accident.
“There was an incident which was publicised on social media, where a person was hit by a vehicle. They said it was by goons. That is not true. We have witnesses,” he stated.
The commissioner said criminals were taking advantage of the ongoing political standoff to commit offences, and warned that politicians were also exploiting the situation for their own interests.
“For the last month, nothing has happened. Criminals are taking advantage. Politicians are also taking advantage of that,” he said.
He called on all groups to come together for the sake of stability and development, urging Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo to lead the way in reconciling with political opponents.
“We need now to bring all the disputing teams together, all the sides. I think the governor, advised by the Senate, should reach out so we can move forward,” Omonding said.
His statement followed a visit by Speaker Banticha to the vandalised county assembly chambers, where he pledged to work with the security office to restore calm and normalcy.
The call for unity and restraint comes after weeks of confusion within the Isiolo Assembly, including power struggles over who holds key leadership positions.
His statement came just days after the Senate dismissed the motion to impeach Governor Guyo, citing procedural errors and a court order that had paused the process at the county level.
Senators urged the Governor to initiate reconciliation efforts with the senator and MCAs to prevent further instability.
Following the ruling, Governor Guyo pledged to focus on unity and development, saying the Senate’s decision marked a new beginning for Isiolo.
“With this chapter behind us, we now refocus our energy on what truly matters: driving meaningful development, fostering unity, and fulfilling our shared vision of a thriving Isiolo. The journey ahead continues with an unshakable commitment to serve with integrity and dignity,” he said.
The Governor called on both leaders and residents to turn their attention to service delivery and collaboration, reaffirming his intention to lead with openness and responsibility.
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