[Farah Maalim (C) at a past press conference in Garissa Town. He says the government had done little to end the harassment and segregation mated on the Somali community in Eastleigh.] (the-star.co.ke)Residents of Garissa Township are tired of the status quo and want change, former Parliament Majority Leader Farah Maalim has said.
“The electorate is tired of how politics and business have been transacted for the last 10 years. In me the residents saw a person who is not only the best suited but capable,” he said on Wednesday during a local TV’s interview.
He dismissed claims that he was an outsider trying to force himself on Garissa Township people.
“I was born and brought up in Garrisa town where my father was a police officer. My mother gave birth to me in Garissa,” he added.
In 2013, the former House deputy Speaker contested for the Garissa Senatorial position but lost to former Defence Cabinet Minister Yusuf Haji (TNA).
“This time round our votes will not be stolen, once beaten twice shy away. We have put in place mechanisms that will ensure no vote will be stolen and that the will of the people will prevail,” he added.
He said unlike Garissa Township MP Aden Duale’s campaign which is based on negative propaganda, his, he said, is based on issues.
Maalim criticised the Jubilee administration for failing to contain the extrajudicial killings in North Eastern.
He also said government had done little to end the harassment and segregation mated on the Somali community in Eastleigh, Nairobi.
“If you look at the way we are treated, we are like second-class citizens,” he said.
“More than 600 youth, women and clerics have been killed in extrajudicial style. Our people were rounded up and taken Kasarani where they were subjected to inhuman treatment that can be likened to detention camps.”