[Cord leader Raila Odinga with Garissa Governor Nathif Jama (left) and Balambala MP Abdikadir during the campaign trail[Photo/nation.co.ke]
Balambala MP Abdikadir Aden has warned Jubilee Party not to expect any votes from the region. He said the ruling coalition has intimidated and sidelined the muslim community since taking power four years ago.The MP, who is the ODM national organising secretary, said the the community is bitter with how government has treated them. He cited various incidences where the government could have done better. He mentioned the profiling of Muslims where some were arrested and taken Kasarani international stadium.
Issuance of IDs towards the Somali tribe has been skewed while many individuals of the same community have gone missing with mass graves being discovered later. “We have not forgotten how they bundled our people in lorries and took them to the Safaricom Stadium Kasarani in the disguise of fighting terrorism,” Aden said.“Jubilee leaders can make as many trips to this region as they want, but I can assure them that no amount of enticing will convince our people to vote for the party because they know where their hearts are,” he added. The MP faces a stiff competition from Jubilee’s Abdi Shurie who has the backing of the Abudwak Council of Elders. He also faces a major backlash from Majority Leader Aden Duale who is the Jubilee Party’s kingpin in the region.Mr Duale has been leading various teams to campaign against Mr Abdikadir. He led a team of other leaders including Senator Yussuf Haji, governor aspirant Ali Korane and Women Rep aspirant Annab Gure in drumming up support for the “Talamuge Alliance” on Friday last week.
However, Aden laughed of at the move, saying they will not dislodge him off from his seat.“They have all ganged up against me to ensure that I lose my seat, but they are in for a very rude shock because the electorate are very smart,” he said.