Retired Mandera Chief Bullow apologises to NEP leaders, quits Gachagua’s DCP party

Retired Mandera Chief Mohamed Hajji Bullow addressing the press in Nairobi. He is flanked by community elders, members of the sultanate, and his family.

Retired Mandera Chief Mohamed Hajji Bullow has issued a public apology over his recent remarks targeting leaders from the Northeastern region.

Bullow also said he  has formally quit the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).

On Wednesday, Bullow retracted statements he had made over the weekend that sparked widespread political backlash.

His remarks were delivered during a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and later went viral.

In his speech, Bullow criticised several senior leaders from the region, including Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Eldas MP Adan Keynan, and Dadaab MP Farah Maalim.

Addressing the press, Bullow—flanked by community elders, members of the sultanate, and his family—issued an unconditional apology and announced his resignation from the DCP, saying he had been misled.

“The person whom I named as a non-Kenyan, Mr Abdulweli Hassan Mohammed, was mentioned in error. He comes from my area and is a bona fide Kenyan. I was referring to someone else with a similar name, which led to the confusion,” Bullow said.

“I therefore apologise publicly for denouncing him and for denying him his right as a Kenyan. I humbly request him and all Kenyans to accept my apology,” he added.

Bullow also apologised to senior leaders from the region.

“I am requesting CS Duale and long-serving MPs Adan Keynan and Farah Maalim to kindly accept my apologies. They are important leaders within the Somali community and have a significant voice. Going forward, I promise not to use vulgar or disrespectful language against them.”

He further announced that he had resigned from the DCP with immediate effect. Bullow had been serving as the organizing secretary of the DCP League.

“I am defecting from the DCP party because my continued stay there is no longer tenable,” he said. The party has no clear agenda and is driven by personalized issues. Its leaders thrive on abusive language, and I do not want to be associated with that,” he added.

Bullow stated that he would be joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which he described as the most popular party in the North Eastern region.

His apology comes amid heightened political tensions following remarks made two weeks ago by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Gachagua criticised a section of Northern Kenya leaders, arguing that despite significant devolved funding since 2013, the region had failed to build strong public institutions and should stop seeking special treatment.

Leaders from the region swiftly responded, collectively condemning the remarks as divisive and inappropriate.