In a chilling escalation of violence that has gripped Isiolo County, the shooting of Mzee Idle Hassan, Secretary General of the Somali Council of Elders, near Jamia Mosque on Thursday evening has sparked outrage and heightened tensions.
Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto(MRQ) has publicly condemned the attack, extending heartfelt sympathies to the respected elder while demanding a swift, transparent, and thorough investigation into what he describes as a “disturbing wave of violence” plaguing the region.
As the county reels from a series of unresolved violent incidents, Roba has cast a critical eye on Governor Abdi Guyo’s statements, accusing him of withholding crucial information and politicizing tragedies for personal gain.
A Community in Mourning: The Attack on Mzee Idle Hassan
The brazen attack on Mzee Idle Hassan occurred around 8:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025, moments after he left evening prayers at Jamia Mosque in Isiolo’s central business district.
Eyewitnesses reported that unknown assailants shot the elder multiple times, leaving him critically injured.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical officials confirmed he is receiving treatment and remains under close observation.
The incident has sent shockwaves through Isiolo, a county long celebrated for its harmonious coexistence among diverse communities.
Speaker Roba, in a poignant statement, expressed deep sorrow over the attack, describing Mzee Idle as “a father, a respected elder, and a friend.”
He prayed for the elder’s swift recovery while emphasizing that such acts of violence are antithetical to the values of Isiolo. “This is definitely not the Isiolo we want,” Roba declared, urging security agencies to act decisively to restore peace and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Roba’s Rebuke: Questioning Governor Guyo’s Narrative
The shooting has reignited a fierce political feud between Speaker Roba and Governor Abdi Guyo, with the former accusing the latter of exploiting the tragedy to advance a political agenda.
In a statement posted on X, Governor Guyo linked the attack on Mzee Idle to his vocal opposition to a recent failed impeachment motion against the governor, suggesting possible involvement of foreign militia groups, specifically the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF).
Guyo called the incident a “brazen and cowardly act” aimed at instilling fear and disrupting the county’s fragile peace.
Roba, however, dismissed these claims as reckless and speculative, accusing Guyo of jumping to conclusions without evidence.
In a pointed critique, Roba referenced the unresolved death of TikToker PFA Ismail Abdikadir, widely believed to have been assassinated, which Guyo controversially claimed was the result of a lorry accident.
“Interestingly, the same governor was quick to claim that our late brother, PFA Ismail Abdikadir, died after being run over by a lorry. He should probably be the first contact for investigators, as he seems to be holding critical information,” Roba stated, suggesting that Guyo’s statements raise more questions than answers.
Roba’s remarks echo sentiments expressed by Rehema Dida Jaldesa, Chairperson of the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), who criticized Guyo for politicizing the shooting before investigations had even begun.
“This kind of careless rhetoric, before any investigation has started, is not only irrational, it is a cruel insult to the family and community of a wounded elder,” Jaldesa wrote on Facebook, highlighting the governor’s apparent lack of empathy.
A Pattern of Violence: Unresolved Incidents Haunt Isiolo
The attack on Mzee Idle is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling pattern of violence that has left Isiolo residents on edge.
Recent months have seen a series of unresolved attacks, including the killing of PFA Ismail Abdikadir, the shooting of Burat Ward MCA Nicholas Lorot, and the brutal burning of an elderly man.
These incidents, coupled with the vandalism and chaos that erupted during the failed impeachment process against Governor Guyo in June 2025, have fueled fears that Isiolo is descending into lawlessness.
The impeachment saga itself was marred by violence, with a shooting incident at the County Assembly leaving 26-year-old Barack Abdullahi injured.
Abdullahi claimed he was shot in the ankle by Speaker Roba, an allegation Roba vehemently denied, stating, “The burden of proof lies with the accuser. Let the police do their job.”
Isiolo Sub-County Police Commander Joseph Mwendwa confirmed that investigations into the assembly chaos, including the shooting and vandalism of vehicles and property, are ongoing but have yet to yield results.
The lack of resolution in these cases has deepened public distrust in local leadership and security agencies. Rehema Dida Jaldesa noted that the targeting of prominent figures like Mzee Idle and MCA Lorot represents a new and alarming trend in a county historically known for its peace.
“This kind of targeted violence is new in our county, a place where people of different communities have lived together in harmony for generations,” she said, calling for urgent action to restore stability.
Political Tensions and Allegations of Foreign Interference
At the heart of the controversy is the failed impeachment motion against Governor Guyo, which exposed deep divisions within Isiolo’s leadership.
On June 26, 2025, 16 out of 18 MCAs voted to oust Guyo on charges of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of various laws, including the Constitution, the County Governments Act, and the Public Finance Management Act.
The motion accused Guyo of appointing an excessive number of advisors and chief officers, failing to meet revenue targets, and making divisive remarks against Senator Fatuma Dullo.
However, the Senate dismissed the impeachment on procedural grounds, citing a court order that declared the process null and void.
The impeachment process was fraught with chaos, including protests, vandalism, and allegations of intimidation.
Speaker Roba claimed that the violence at the County Assembly was orchestrated to derail the impeachment, while MCAs reported being trailed by suspicious vehicles and receiving threats.
The situation was further complicated by a leadership crisis within the assembly, with two rival speakers—Roba and Abdullahi Jaldesa Banticha—and two clerks claiming legitimacy, creating a governance paralysis that continues to undermine the county’s stability.
Governor Guyo’s assertion that foreign militia groups, specifically the OLF, may be behind the recent violence has added another layer of complexity.
While he called for national security agencies to investigate, critics, including Roba and Jaldesa, have accused him of using the claim to deflect accountability and stoke fear.
The lack of concrete evidence supporting the involvement of foreign groups has fueled skepticism, with many residents demanding a focus on local accountability rather than external scapegoats.
A Call for Justice and Reconciliation
As Isiolo grapples with rising insecurity and political strife, Speaker Roba has called for unity and a collective effort to address the root causes of the violence.
He has urged residents to reject divisive rhetoric and work toward a peaceful resolution, emphasizing that the county’s future depends on restoring trust in its institutions. “We cannot allow our home to be torn apart by violence and politics. We need answers, we need justice, and we need to heal,” Roba said.
Governor Guyo, who survived the impeachment attempt in July 2025, has also extended an olive branch to his rivals, calling for reconciliation and a focus on development.
However, his efforts have been met with skepticism, particularly in light of his controversial statements on the Mzee Idle shooting.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, in dismissing the impeachment, advised Guyo to mend ties with the County Assembly and Senator Dullo, warning that ongoing divisions could lead to further instability.
A County at a Crossroads
The shooting of Mzee Idle Hassan has become a flashpoint in Isiolo’s escalating crisis, raising urgent questions about governance, security, and accountability. As investigations continue, the pressure is on security agencies to deliver answers and restore public confidence.
For Speaker Roba, the path forward requires not only justice for the victims of violence but also a reckoning with the leadership failures that have allowed these incidents to fester unresolved.
With Isiolo’s diverse communities watching closely, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the county can overcome its challenges or descend further into chaos.
For now, the people of Isiolo wait anxiously for justice, healing, and a return to the peace they once knew.
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