Aden Duale, the Garissa Township legislator was last Sunday spotted with a sword around his waist during a visit to his home county, Garissa.
The youtube video that has since went viral was captured when the Garissa MP was dancing to a traditional tune at the local Garissa Cultural Centre.
The dagger that was in a leather sheath was placed on his left side as he joined the Somali countrymen for the local dance.
Traditionally, the sword is worn by men above the age of 14 years as accessory to their clothing. Male Somalis also use the dagger during traditional events as dances.
The dagger in Somali is identified as Janbiya, and will only come out of its holding sheath in times of extreme cases of conflict.
According to Duale, his recent visit to his home county was meant encourage locals to preserve and uphold their culture and his dagger dressing was seemingly accompanying his cultural message.
“I call upon my Garissa residents to preserve and uphold our Somali culture. We should protect the cultural heritage of our people for our next generations,” Duale said.