By Abdullahi Jamaa
On May 30 2025, members of the Osman Noor sub-clan, a branch of the larger Jibrail community, gathered for a family social occasion, a Qur’an recitation session, observed as a moment of unity and prayer.
In Northeastern Kenya, such gatherings often double as informal consultations known locally as kulans. These are strategic forums where communities reflect on past decisions, reassess leadership, and map out the direction of their clans.
As the Qur’an session drew to a close, the gathering naturally transitioned to speeches. It was at this moment that Halima Adow (Halimsaadia), wearing a broad, confident smile, rose to her feet and announced her intention to contest the Wajir County Women Representative seat in the upcoming 2027 general elections.
“I have a political ambition” she told members of her clan while carefully enunciating her words. “God willing, I would like to contest for the position of women’s representative in 2027”
It’s local norms that a candidate has to be cleared by the family or subclan before their names are forwarded to the clan’s council of elders for approval under the negotiated democracy.
“I come to you, my elders and relatives. As you know, we climb the tree from the bottom,” She continued, “I need your support, guidance and prayers.”
Halimsaadia says she has been mulling the idea of plunging into the murky waters of politics since 2022, when her ambitions started taking shape.
“Joining politics isn’t an afterthought idea. I wanted to contest for the seat in the 2022 elections; however, I considered waiting for 2027,” she recalls.
Halimsaaida who’s strong both in brain and brawn, joins politics at a critical time that requires a lot of courage amidst a backdrop of community fragmentation emanating from the last elections’ divisive campaigns in Eldas, a constituency which she believes to be her political stronghold due to the large number of her relatives.
“I have already spoken to a section of youth and elders who are supporting my bid”, she told the crowd. “Many of you know me already, and I am also here to present myself to the few who do not know me.”
She is aware that a challenging political journey is ahead of her bid, and she needs to put her best foot forward to marshal support not just from her immediate family but also from the entire Jibrail clan before she presents herself to the rest of Wajir county communities.
“I know it is not easy. But I am courageous at the same time humble enough to solicit support from my clan and the good people of Wajir.” She explains.
A Voice from the Grassroots
She prides herself as a well-known figure within the county who doesn’t need much self-preamble to sell herself to the people of Wajir County. She was born and raised in Wajir’s Bulla Joogoo (Manyalo area), one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the county, which gives her an understanding of dynamics that influences local politics.
She currently resides in the ICF neighbourhood where her presence reflects her continued connection to the grassroots and her commitment to staying close to the people.
Ms Halimsaadia began her education at Jogbaru Primary School before enrolling at Habaswein Girls Secondary School for her Form One studies. She later transferred to Furaha Mixed Secondary School, where she completed her high school education. Committed to furthering her academic journey, she pursued higher education in Nairobi and graduated with a degree in Human Resource Management.
At school, she was a go-getter who took part in a number of co-curricular activities, including being a member of the school’s netball team.
“I was always a community person. Whether at the school or in the locality, I was part of initiatives that helped the community address local problematic issues,” She notes.
The death of her elder sister in 2007 marked a turning point in her life, thrusting her into greater responsibilities at a young age.
“That experience changed the course of my life. I had to take on family responsibilities while still very young”
In the largely conservative Somali community, girls are often introduced to family responsibilities at a young age. They are tasked with preparing food, raising children and other domestic activities.
In the absence of a male head in the family, Somali women are known for their strength in doubling as both mother and father figure. With a growing number of widows and single mothers, more and more women are shouldering the burden of raising children single-handedly.
For Halimasaadia, the responsibility of caring for her late sister’s family opened her mind and heart to the realities of life. She appreciates this role that built her resilience as a woman and made her a ‘hoyo’ (mother figure) at an early age.
“Losing my elder sister brought me face to face with real-life responsibilities. That experience taught me valuable lessons in leadership,” she explains.
Compassionate Leadership
Over the years, she has learnt the universe through her exposure to the hard scrabbling life in Wajir, where many people are surviving on the edge, as entrenched poverty and a crumbling economy torment the overwhelming majority of residents.
She believes it is not just about good leadership; it is also about compassion for the people. With a heart full of love and mercy, she hopes to provide an alternative leadership.
“We have to be merciful to the people and feel their suffering, she says “It is not all about leading people. It is about having a sense of belonging to the people”
If elected, she hopes to address a growing list of challenges facing women and youth in the county. These groups in the community face the harshest realities of biting poverty and other socio-economic challenges.
According to a recent policy brief by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), Wajir County has a working-age population of 376,933, approximately 48.25% of the total population. A significant portion of this group comprises youth aged 18 to 34, many of whom lack stable employment or reliable sources of income.
Women, who make up 45% of the county’s population, face particularly harsh conditions. Many struggle to access basic necessities and essential care, often bearing the burden of providing for their families with limited support.
Turning around the socio-economic status of women and youth in Wajir tops her list of assignments. These issues are deeply connected to her leadership philosophy that envisions jumpstarting a new era of citizen involvement in economic development.
“It is not that we do not have resources; we have resources to turn things around. I believe we can do something meaningful with our resources,” She notes
Girlchild education, youth and women empowerment and helping single mothers and widows to achieve some forms of economic stability are things that are racking her mind as an aspiring woman representative.
“I understand the problems in our County. We have so many issues to address, but my biggest assignment will be more about uplifting women and youth”.
