Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - An Iftar dinner organized to raise funds for Madarasatul Najah, a learning institution in Garissa County, saw an impressive Ksh 112 million collected in just two hours on Sunday evening.
The high-profile event, held at Weston Hotel in Nairobi, was
graced by Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen,
Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, and Governor Nadhif Jamah.
Also in attendance were MPs from Garissa County, Wajir
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, and Mombasa County Assembly Speaker Aharub Khatri,
among other prominent figures.
Notably absent was Environment CS Aden Duale, who hails from
the region.
His decision to skip the fundraiser has stirred political
debate, with some attendees suggesting he underestimated the event’s success.
“He perhaps assumed the event wouldn’t achieve much without
his presence, but reality proved otherwise,” said an associate familiar with
the matter.
Duale did not immediately comment on his absence, though his
team cited fasting as the reason.
President William Ruto contributed Ksh 5 million, while
Murkomen donated Ksh 3 million.
Joho and his associates gave Ksh 22 million, Governor Jamah
and his allies raised Ksh 22.5 million, Senator Haji and his team collected Ksh
20 million, businessman Maalim Weli of BBS Mall in Eastleigh donated Ksh 10
million, and the owner of Seven Aside contributed Ksh 10 million.
Senator Haji praised the overwhelming support.
“This was a huge success, and we are glad to be helping many
in the community. No politics for now,” he remarked.
Garissa is shaping up to be a political battleground ahead
of the 2027 elections, with several heavyweights eyeing the gubernatorial seat.
Among those expected to contest are former Governor Ali
Korane, Senator Haji, and former MP and ambassador Mohamed Shidiye.
Korane and Haji, who have long-standing political ties
dating back to the late Yusuf Haji’s era, could potentially form an alliance.
East African Community Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat has
also signaled interest in the race.
Duale’s absence from the fundraiser is widely seen as a
political misstep.
“This will haunt him in the end. He should have at least
sent a donation,” remarked one political observer.
With alliances forming and rivalries deepening, Garissa’s
political landscape is heating up, setting the stage for a fierce contest in
2027.
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