In the grand chessboard of Isiolo County politics, the recent theatrics by Senator Fatuma Dullo reek of desperation and strategic sabotage.
With the impending visit of the Head of State and Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan (Guyo) riding high on a wave of unprecedented development, it is no coincidence that the senator has resorted to her well-worn playbook of political gimmickry.
For the people of Isiolo, this is an all-too-familiar script: at critical moments of progress, Dullo engineers distractions to shift focus away from the transformative agenda of Governor Guyo’s administration.
Her latest stunt—storming Isiolo Level 5 Hospital, disrupting essential medical services, and demeaning healthcare workers—is a glaring example of her reckless brand of politics.
Governor Guyo: A Beacon of Progress Amidst Political Distractions
Governor Guyo’s administration has, in just under two years, turned around Isiolo’s fortunes in ways his predecessors failed to achieve.
Take Bula Pesa, for instance—once a neglected estate that the senator used as a political tool to attack past regimes.
Today, thanks to the governor’s leadership, Bula Pesa boasts newly upgraded murram-standard feeder roads, allowing residents to move freely even in the rainy season.
The gratitude of the residents has been loud and clear, recognizing Governor Guyo as the first leader to truly prioritize their needs.
The senator, realizing that her old tactics of exploiting the area’s underdevelopment no longer hold water, has now resorted to creating chaos elsewhere.
Her attack on Isiolo’s healthcare system, particularly her condescending dismissal of medics—including student trainees from Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)—exposes a deep-seated disregard for professionals who work tirelessly to keep Isiolo’s hospitals running.
Referring to a medical worker as “just a nurse” is not only derogatory but also an affront to the entire medical fraternity.
The Senator’s Dubious Silence and Selective Outrage
It is telling that Senator Dullo was conspicuously silent for months following the infamous leaked audio where she was accused of pitting communities against each other over employment opportunities.
This political blunder backfired spectacularly, damaging her credibility.
Now, sensing that the tide is shifting irreversibly in Governor Guyo’s favor, she has re-emerged with baseless theatrics, hoping to claw back lost political ground.
Her response—or lack thereof—to the recent catastrophic fire that devastated thousands of acres of pastureland further reveals her true priorities.
While she made a show of assessing the situation via helicopter, she failed to mobilize tangible solutions, such as seeking emergency interventions for affected pastoralists.
Instead, she has chosen to channel her energy into undermining Governor Guyo’s administration.
Governor Guyo’s Track Record: Development Over Political Gimmicks
While the senator engages in political witch-hunts, Governor Guyo has been working diligently to uplift Isiolo County. His administration’s achievements speak for themselves:
- Security and Stability: By fostering cooperation with regional leaders in Wajir and Garissa, Governor Guyo has significantly reduced intercommunal clashes, ensuring peace among Isiolo South’s pastoralist communities.
- Infrastructure Transformation: Key road networks across the county are being upgraded, boosting connectivity and economic activity.
- Water Sufficiency: With 36 boreholes drilled in strategic locations, Isiolo is on a steady path to solving its perennial water crisis.
- Healthcare Revitalization: Under Governor Guyo, Isiolo’s health facilities are consistently stocked with medical supplies, marking the end of an era where patients were turned away due to lack of drugs and equipment.
- Economic Empowerment: The governor has spearheaded youth and women empowerment programs, distributing over 100 motorbikes, several vans, tuk-tuks, sewing machines, and car wash equipment—initiatives that have transformed countless livelihoods.
- Revenue Growth: By sealing corruption loopholes, the governor has doubled Isiolo’s local revenue collection to over half a billion shillings, ensuring funds are available for development projects.
The Senator’s Fear of Governor Guyo’s Rising Popularity
The real issue unsettling Senator Dullo is Governor Guyo’s soaring approval rating. A recent ICBNews opinion poll placed his popularity at 62%, making him the most favored leader in Isiolo County.
This is a damning indictment of the senator’s political influence, which has been waning rapidly.
Even more concerning for her ambitions is the commissioning of the Isiolo International Abattoir, a project that had stagnated for 17 years—12 of which she served as senator.
The abattoir’s revival under Governor Guyo is set to create hundreds of jobs, an accomplishment the senator cannot claim credit for.
Weaponizing Oversight for Political Gain
The senator’s selective application of oversight raises fundamental questions about her integrity.
Throughout her tenure, she never publicly criticized or “oversaw” the one Isiolo governor who was accused in court of misappropriating over a billion shillings in public funds.
Yet, she has made it her mission to obstruct Governor Guyo’s every move—even when it benefits the very people she purports to represent.
Her consistent legal battles to derail county projects, her courtroom theatrics through proxies, and her endless politicking at the expense of progress must be rejected by the people of Isiolo.
Oversight is not a weapon to be wielded for political gain—it is a responsibility meant to enhance governance, not hinder it.
The People of Isiolo Must Reject Destructive Politics
Senator Dullo’s latest antics are nothing more than a desperate attempt to remain relevant as she eyes the gubernatorial seat in the next election.
But the people of Isiolo must see through her deception. Leadership should be about service, not self-interest.
Governor Guyo has set Isiolo on a trajectory of growth, peace, and prosperity—he must be allowed to continue his work without unnecessary political sabotage.
It is time for Isiolo to reject outdated political gamesmanship and rally behind the leader who has proven, through action and results, that he has their best interests at heart.
Governor Guyo has earned his place in the hearts of the people, and no amount of political mudslinging will erase his legacy.
Disclaimer: The views expressed herein are my own.
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