MCA under fire after video of chaos at rally

Dadaab MCA and Garissa County Assembly Majority Leader Mohamed Abdi Farah speaking at the meeting last Saturday./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Dadaab MCA and Garissa County Assembly Majority Leader Mohamed Abdi Farah has come under public scrutiny following a video that appeared to show an altercation involving him and a female political hopeful at a rally on Saturday.

The rally had been organised to popularise the governor bid of Mohamed Shidiye, who has declared his interest in contesting Garissa's top seat in the 2027 General Election.

Shortly after the event ended, a video circulated on social media that appeared to show Farah taking a microphone from the female politician before what appeared to be a physical confrontation.

The two were later separated by people nearby.

Farah, a third-term MCA, has denied allegations that he assaulted the female politician, saying the circulating video clips do not present the full circumstances of the incident.

In a statement, the Majority Leader said he has always upheld respect and dignity throughout his years in public service.

"My track record speaks for itself. Throughout my public service, I have always treated every member of the community with respect and dignity," he said.

Farah claimed the confrontation occurred after he was allegedly slapped and verbally abused while performing his duties as the host MCA during the rally.

"This is the first time I have found myself responding to an incident involving a woman, not out of malice, but because I was physically slapped and subjected to abusive and insulting language while carrying out my duties as the host MCA during the day's public rally," he said.

He accused unnamed individuals of spreading what he described as a false narrative aimed at damaging his reputation and urged the public to allow due process to take its course.

"I reject the false narrative being circulated and wish to set the record straight. I urge everyone to establish the full facts before rushing to judgment or allowing misinformation to shape public opinion," he said.

Farah also expressed concern over what he described as attempts by some political leaders to influence public perception before investigations are concluded.

"Leadership demands fairness, responsibility, respect for due process and allowing the truth to prevail through lawful and impartial processes," he said.

The incident has since drawn condemnation from some women leaders, who said it was a setback to efforts aimed at encouraging greater participation of women in politics.

Among those who criticised the incident was East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman Dekow, who described the alleged harassment as deeply disturbing.

"As a female leader, I am deeply saddened and outraged by the disturbing video that has surfaced from Shidiye's function today in Dadaab, allegedly showing a young female politician being kicked and harassed by the MCA for Dadaab," she said.

Falhada said violence and intimidation against women seeking elective office have no place in a democratic society.

"Violence, intimidation and harassment against women in politics are unacceptable and have no place in a democratic society. Every woman who chooses to offer herself for public leadership deserves to campaign in an environment of safety, dignity and respect, not fear and abuse," she said.

She said the incident highlighted the challenges women continue to face in political spaces and urged aspiring female leaders not to be discouraged.

The incident has continued to attract public attention, with calls from various quarters for calm, restraint and for the circumstances surrounding the incident to be fully established.

East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Falhada Iman Dekow speaking at an event in Garissa town./