Isiolo, Kenya| In a poignant display of solidarity and leadership, Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto made a heartfelt visit on Monday morning to Mzee Idle Hassan, the revered elder and Secretary General of the Somali Council of Elders, who is bravely recovering from a brutal shooting that has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Isiolo town.
Accompanied by fellow Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) and local leaders, Speaker Roba condemned the attack as an “ugly and unfortunate incident,” emphasizing the need for swift justice while highlighting Mzee Idle’s enduring spirit and pivotal role as a unifying force in the region.
The visit comes just days after the harrowing assault on Mzee Idle, which occurred on the evening of Thursday, August 7, outside the iconic Jamia Mosque in Isiolo’s Central Business District (CBD).
Eyewitnesses described a chilling scene where unknown assailants ambushed the elder shortly after he concluded his evening prayers around 8:00 p.m., firing multiple shots that left him in critical condition.
Rushed to a nearby hospital, Mzee Idle’s resilience has shone through, with medical officials confirming he is now on the path to recovery, though the incident has underscored the fragility of peace in this diverse northern Kenyan county.
During the visit, Speaker Roba, known for his steadfast advocacy on community issues and his decorated background—including honors such as the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW) and Certified Security Management Professional (CSMP)—praised Mzee Idle’s unbreakable optimism.
“This morning, accompanied by other leaders, I visited our elder Mzee Idle who was unfortunately shot two days ago at Jamia Mosque in Isiolo,” Roba shared in a subsequent Facebook post that quickly garnered widespread support.
“Mzee is recuperating well and was in high spirits—a clear sign of resilience in the face of this ugly incident. Mzee Idle, a bubbly father figure and a common face in Isiolo town, did not deserve this, and we pray that his perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to book.”
Roba’s words echoed the sentiments of many in Isiolo, where Mzee Idle is celebrated not just as a community elder but as a cornerstone of peacebuilding efforts.
For decades, he has facilitated dialogue and resolved disputes among the county’s multicultural populations, including Somali, Borana, Meru, Turkana, and Samburu communities.
His role in the Somali Council of Elders has been instrumental in maintaining harmony in a region historically plagued by resource conflicts, banditry, and occasional ethnic tensions.
The shooting, therefore, feels like an assault not only on an individual but on the very fabric of communal unity that Mzee Idle has tirelessly woven.
The incident has ignited a firestorm of political controversy, with fingers pointing in multiple directions amid Isiolo’s simmering leadership rivalries.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo was quick to issue a statement linking the attack to Mzee Idle’s “firm stance against the recently failed impeachment process,” suggesting it could be tied to political retribution.
The governor further raised alarms about the alleged infiltration of Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) operatives, a group with roots in neighboring Ethiopia, claiming they might be sowing discord to shatter the peace Isiolo has preserved for over two decades.
“This brazen and cowardly act appears to be linked to his firm stance against the recently failed impeachment process,” Guyo stated, urging national security agencies like the National Police Service to intervene decisively.
However, Speaker Roba has publicly questioned the governor’s narrative, arguing that such claims risk exacerbating tensions without concrete evidence.
In a recent statement, Roba highlighted the need for impartial investigations, distancing the incident from unsubstantiated political finger-pointing and focusing instead on community healing.
This stance aligns with Roba’s own tumultuous political journey; as the County Assembly Speaker, he has navigated fierce rivalries, including a failed ouster attempt and accusations in unrelated shooting incidents earlier in the year, which he has vehemently denied.
His leadership has often positioned him as a counterbalance to executive overreach, advocating for transparency and accountability in county governance.
Critics of the governor’s response, including prominent real estate magnate Mwenda Thuranira, have decried the hasty politicization of the tragedy.
“What is disturbing is the governor’s hasty attempt to politicise the incident… This kind of careless rhetoric… is a cruel insult to the family and community of a wounded elder,” Thuranira posted on social media, calling for restraint and unity.
Similarly, Rehema Dida Jaldesa, Chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), lamented the rising tide of targeted violence in Isiolo, referencing recent attacks on local leaders like Burat Ward MCA Nicholas Lorot and Ismail Abdikadir.
“This kind of targeted violence is new in our county… We must not sit back and allow this dangerous trend to continue,” she urged, advocating for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable community figures.
The shooting has amplified longstanding concerns about security in Isiolo, a strategic county bordering conflict-prone areas like Marsabit and Garissa.
Residents, already grappling with issues such as cattle rustling, water scarcity, and youth unemployment, now fear a resurgence of instability.
Calls for enhanced patrols, community policing, and intelligence gathering have grown louder, with local forums and social media buzzing with demands for accountability.
“The shooting has shocked Isiolo residents, with calls mounting for swift investigations and enhanced security in the town,” noted one community leader during Roba’s visit.
In his role as Speaker, Mohamed Roba Qoto has emerged as a beacon of compassion and resolve in this crisis. His visit not only offered personal support to Mzee Idle and his family but also served as a rallying cry for justice and reconciliation.
By describing the elder as a “unifying presence,” Roba underscored the broader implications: an attack on Mzee Idle is an attack on the values of peace and coexistence that define Isiolo.
As investigations unfold under the watchful eyes of national authorities, the people of Isiolo hold their breath, hoping for a resolution that brings healing rather than division. Mzee Idle’s recovery, bolstered by community prayers and visits like Roba’s, symbolizes hope amid adversity.
Yet, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address underlying political frictions and bolster security to safeguard the county’s fragile harmony.
For now, Speaker Roba’s actions stand as a testament to leadership rooted in empathy, urging all stakeholders to prioritize justice over politics.
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