Isiolo, Kenya| A media advocacy group representing the Sakuye community in Isiolo County has launched a scathing critique of Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo, accusing him of political opportunism and betrayal following his public endorsement of President William Ruto for a second term in office.
In a strongly worded statement issued by the Sakuye Media Network, the group condemned Governor Guyo’s recent declaration that 99.9% of Isiolo residents would support Ruto’s re-election bid, calling the claim “outlandish, disconnected from reality, and deeply insulting to the people of Isiolo.”
The network asserted that such proclamations were emblematic of a political class increasingly out of touch with constituents facing dire socio-economic challenges and recurring disasters.
“Governor Guyo can align himself with anyone he pleases—even Donald Trump if he so wishes—but he must vacate office,” the statement read.
“The era when a photograph with a head of state intimidated political opponents or manipulated voters is long gone. Only the politically naive still cling to such illusions.”
The media lobby went further to accuse President Ruto’s administration of perpetuating state-sponsored violence in Northern Kenya.
It cited a spate of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances in Isiolo and neighboring Marsabit County—acts allegedly carried out under the guise of national security operations.
“President Ruto has become the number one public enemy to the people of Northern Kenya,” the statement added.
“His administration’s actions echo the notorious Daaba operation during the Kenyatta era, which left deep scars in the collective memory of our community.”
The group also lambasted Governor Guyo for what they described as “governance failures and mismanagement of disaster response funds,” claiming his administration has been ineffective in addressing the region’s chronic drought, food insecurity, and infrastructure decay, despite receiving substantial allocations for disaster management.
“Isiolo County is reeling under the weight of multiple disasters—from hunger to water shortages—yet the county government remains conspicuously absent.” SMN lamented.
“While millions of shillings are reportedly misappropriated daily, basic services remain inaccessible to the common citizen,” the statement noted.
Highlighting political inconsistencies, the Sakuye Media Network pointed out that Guyo failed to deliver votes for opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2022 despite being a vocal campaigner, and that President Ruto ultimately garnered more than 14,000 votes above Guyo’s tally in Isiolo County during the general election.
This, they argued, was proof that the electorate is capable of independent political thought, unbound by local political endorsements.
“Guyo’s inflated promises of near-unanimous support for Ruto are baseless. Isiolo residents are politically aware and will not be coerced into submission through false narratives and state-backed propaganda.”
The statement by the Sakuye Media Network marks a growing wave of discontent among sections of Northern Kenya’s population, who feel marginalized and misrepresented at both county and national levels.
As political realignments begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 general election, tensions between local leaders and community advocacy groups are expected to intensify, with calls for accountability and grassroots-driven governance dominating the discourse.
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