Kiwanjani, Isiolo County| In a powerful plea for communal harmony amid Kenya’s often-polarizing political climate, Isiolo County First Lady Habiba Guyo has urged residents to place kinship, neighbourliness, and shared humanity above fleeting political differences.
Speaking on Saturday during a well-attended fundraising event for the IBSE Women’s Savings and Credit Group in Kiwanjani, Wabera Ward, Mrs Guyo delivered an impassioned message that resonated deeply with hundreds of attendees.
“Politics is temporary. It comes today and is gone tomorrow,” she declared. “But the bonds of blood, the ties of neighbourhood, and our common humanity are permanent. Let us never allow politics to stop us from helping one another, supporting one another, or loving one another.”
Leadership as a Divine Trust, Not a License for Division
Mrs Guyo reminded the gathering that leadership – at whatever level – is a divine gift and responsibility.
“No leader is elected forever,” she noted. “Power changes hands, but the relationships we build with our neighbours, clan members, and fellow citizens must outlast every election season.”
She warned against the dangers of letting political campaigns sow seeds of hatred that linger long after ballots are counted, saying such divisions only weaken the social fabric that has historically held Isiolo’s diverse communities together.
Celebrating Women-Led Development and Peacebuilding
The First Lady reserved special praise for the IBSE Women’s Group and dozens of similar Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) operating across Isiolo County.
These grassroots financial initiatives, she observed, have become engines of economic empowerment, family upliftment, and social cohesion.
“Through your table-banking and merry-go-rounds, you are feeding families, paying school fees, starting businesses, and keeping the peace,” Mrs Guyo told the women. “You are the real architects of development in this county.”
She highlighted how women’s groups have consistently bridged ethnic and political divides that sometimes threaten stability in the region, proving that collective economic progress is one of the strongest antidotes to conflict.
A Call for Continued Prayer and Solidarity
Concluding her remarks, the First Lady urged the women to remain steadfast in prayer for lasting peace and stability in Isiolo.
“Keep supporting one another. Keep praying for our county, our leaders, and our children,” she said. “When women stand united, no force can destabilize a community.”
The fundraising event, which drew residents from across Wabera Ward and beyond, successfully raised funds to expand the IBSE group’s revolving loan kitty, further strengthening its capacity to support members during emergencies and business ventures.
A Timely Message in a Politically Charged Season
With Kenya already witnessing early manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 General Election, Mrs Habiba Guyo’s message serves as a timely reminder that national and county politics should never come at the expense of grassroots unity.
This augurs well especially in multi-ethnic counties like Isiolo, where harmony remains essential for security and development.
Her words echo similar calls made in recent months by religious leaders, elders, and civil-society groups across northern Kenya, all emphasizing that sustainable peace begins with deliberate choices to protect relationships that predate and outlast any political season.
As Isiolo continues its journey toward greater prosperity, the First Lady’s stance reinforces a growing consensus: true progress is impossible when neighbours become enemies over temporary political contests.
Share This Post