A growing controversy has emerged in Isiolo County following allegations of favoritism and discrimination in the distribution of Ramadan relief food.
Vulnerable families, including single mothers and people living with disabilities, have accused Batula Sama, also known as Batula Ali Maalim, of unfairly managing the disbursement process.
The relief food, donated by the Turkish nonprofit organization Türkiye Dayanit Vaqf (TDV), was distributed by the Nasri Empowerment Foundation, a local nonprofit group with close ties to Mrs. Maalim.
As the Chief Officer of Public Service Management in the Isiolo County government, her role in the distribution has come under intense scrutiny despite earlier assertion that she is undertaking the exercise in her personal capacity.
Frustration and Disappointment Among Vulnerable Groups
A section of the affected community members expressed deep frustration over being excluded from the aid distribution despite being issued cards that were presumably meant to ensure they received assistance.
According to some complainants, they were directed to the Isiolo Municipality Office to collect their share, only to be informed by security guards that the disbursement had taken place the previous day.
This apparent miscommunication left many questioning the integrity of the process.
One single mother, who requested anonymity, shared her ordeal: “Imagine walking all the way from Bula Pesa to the municipality, only to return empty-handed, exhausted, and scorched by the sun. Batula has not treated us fairly, and we have yet to hear from her about this matter.”
An elderly man echoed similar sentiments, stating that they had long suspected that the Ramadan relief aid facilitated by Mrs. Maalim predominantly benefited her own community, the Ajuran.
“Nobody really raised concerns before because we knew where the food was going. But this time, when we were issued cards, we thought things had changed.” The elderly man stated.
“We were even grateful for what seemed like a generous gesture. Now, we feel deceived,” he lamented, adding that they would “leave the matter to God” as they felt powerless to challenge the situation.

Calls for Transparency and Broader Humanitarian Support
Despite their disappointment, the affected families emphasized that they do not harbor ill will towards Mrs. Maalim.
Instead, they urged her to adopt a more transparent approach to relief distribution to prevent confusion and resentment in the future.
“Her charity is doing good work, even if only for her community. But it should be clear, fair, and free of favoritism,” one community member remarked.
Amid the ongoing frustrations, the affected families have appealed to other well-wishers and humanitarian organizations to step in and assist them in celebrating the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr festivities.
Many hope that external support will alleviate their hardship, ensuring that no vulnerable person is left behind during the holy month.
Awaiting Mrs. Maalim’s Response
Attempts to reach Mrs. Maalim for comment were unsuccessful at the time of publishing.
However, this news outlet will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as further details emerge.
This incident has highlighted the importance of transparent and equitable aid distribution, particularly when it concerns vulnerable communities relying on humanitarian assistance.
As calls for fairness and inclusivity grow louder, it remains to be seen whether the local administration and aid organizations will take corrective measures to rebuild trust and ensure that future relief efforts are handled more equitably.
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