Isiolo, Kenya| A brazen attack on the Isiolo County Assembly has plunged the region into chaos, raising alarming questions about the state of democracy, governance, and security in one of Kenya’s most volatile counties.
On the night of August 26, 2025, as the nation commemorated Katiba Day—a celebration of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution—armed goons stormed the legislative chambers, vandalizing property, disrupting operations, and forcing the cancellation of scheduled sittings.
The audacious assault has sparked widespread outrage, with former Isiolo Deputy Governor Abdi Issa issuing a fiery call for the disbandment of the county government, warning that Isiolo teeters on the edge of anarchy.
A Night of Lawlessness
The attack, which unfolded under the cover of darkness, saw unidentified assailants wreak havoc on the Isiolo County Assembly, a critical institution tasked with overseeing local governance.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of pandemonium as the goons smashed windows, defaced furniture, and scattered official documents, leaving the assembly in disarray.
The timing of the assault—coinciding with Katiba Day, a national holiday honoring Kenya’s constitutional framework—has been widely condemned as a direct affront to the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
By the morning of August 27, the assembly was unable to convene, with staff and legislators citing safety concerns.
The incident marks the latest in a string of disruptions that have plagued the Isiolo County Assembly, which has increasingly become a flashpoint for political tensions and violent unrest in the region.
A County on the Brink
The vandalism has reignited fears about Isiolo’s deteriorating governance and security landscape. Former Deputy Governor Abdi Issa, a vocal critic of the county’s leadership, did not mince words in his scathing assessment of the situation.
In a statement issued shortly after the attack, Issa painted a grim picture of a county spiraling into lawlessness.
“Democracy is crumbling in Isiolo as security forces stand by while lawlessness reigns,” Issa declared. “The judiciary has become a weak link, reduced to a mere ‘Juripesa’—a mockery of justice. The town feels like a survival-of-the-fittest jungle now. President William Ruto must act decisively—disband this failed county government and install a caretaker administration before Isiolo completely descends into anarchy.”
Issa’s remarks resonate with a growing chorus of frustrated residents who view the County Assembly as a symbol of political dysfunction and institutional decay.
Over the past year, Isiolo has grappled with recurring incidents of violence, political infighting, and administrative paralysis, eroding public confidence in local leadership.
A Troubled History
The attack on the County Assembly is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of instability in Isiolo. The county, located in Kenya’s arid north, has long been a hotspot for ethnic tensions, resource conflicts, and political rivalries.
The devolved system of government, introduced under the 2010 Constitution, was meant to empower local communities and foster development. However, in Isiolo, it has often been marred by allegations of corruption, mismanagement, and power struggles.
The County Assembly, in particular, has been a battleground for competing factions, with rival groups frequently resorting to violence to assert control.
Previous incidents have included protests, physical altercations among legislators, and disruptions of assembly proceedings, all of which have hampered the county’s ability to deliver services and address pressing challenges such as poverty, insecurity, and infrastructure deficits.
Silence from Authorities
As of press time, neither county nor national authorities had issued an official statement regarding the attack, leaving residents and observers anxious for answers.
The absence of a swift response has fueled speculation about the government’s commitment to addressing Isiolo’s escalating crisis.
Local leaders have called for urgent investigations to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice, while others have demanded increased security measures to protect public institutions.
The Kenya Police Service, which maintains a presence in Isiolo, has yet to comment on whether security forces were present during the attack or why they failed to intervene.
This silence has only deepened public mistrust, with many echoing Issa’s sentiment that security agencies have been complicit in allowing lawlessness to flourish.
A Call for National Intervention
Issa’s bold proposal to disband the county government and install a caretaker administration has sparked heated debate.
While some view it as a necessary step to restore order, others argue that such a move could undermine the principles of devolution and set a dangerous precedent for other struggling counties.
Nonetheless, the former deputy governor’s plea for President William Ruto to intervene underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for decisive action.
“Isiolo cannot continue like this,” said Halima Abdi, a local businesswoman and community leader. “Our assembly is supposed to represent us, but it’s become a battleground for chaos. We need leadership that prioritizes the people, not power games.”
The Road Ahead
The attack on the Isiolo County Assembly has cast a harsh spotlight on the challenges facing Kenya’s devolved system of governance.
While the 2010 Constitution was hailed as a milestone in decentralizing power and promoting accountability, counties like Isiolo highlight the complexities of implementing devolution in regions plagued by deep-seated social, economic, and political challenges.
For now, Isiolo remains on edge, with residents bracing for the possibility of further unrest. The national government faces mounting pressure to address the crisis, not only by restoring order but also by tackling the root causes of instability, including poverty, inequality, and weak institutions.
As Kenya reflects on the significance of Katiba Day, the events in Isuolo serve as a stark reminder that the promise of a robust, democratic system hinges on the ability to uphold the rule of law and protect the institutions that embody it.
Without swift and meaningful intervention, Isiolo risks sliding further into the abyss, threatening not only its own future but also the broader vision of devolution in Kenya.
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