Lafey MP Mohamed Abdikheir Mohamed during the endorsement ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Lafey MP Mohamed Abdikheir has urged residents without national identity cards to take advantage of the government’s decision to remove additional vetting requirements to obtain the crucial document.
Abdikheir said the policy change presented an opportunity for eligible residents to acquire IDs, register as voters and play a greater role in shaping the political future of the region.
He said increased identification and voter registration would strengthen the region’s political voice by ensuring more eligible residents participate in elections and other democratic processes.
“Let us take advantage of this opportunity. Our people can now acquire identity cards without the kind of difficulties and additional vetting processes that have for years stood in their way,” he said.
“Every eligible resident should get an ID, register as a voter and participate in the democratic process,” he said.
The appeal for ID and voter registration came shortly after Murule. Weytan elders unanimously endorsed Abdikheir for a second term, giving him a significant political boost ahead of the 2027 elections.
For years, residents in parts of the region seeking identification documents were subjected to extensive family documentation and lengthy verification procedures, unlike applicants in many other parts of the country.
The practice attracted criticism, with leaders and residents describing it as discriminatory. Although the government has since eased the requirements, registration numbers in the region remain low.
This has raised concern among leaders, who are now calling on residents to take advantage of the changes.
“We used to talk about marginalisation, but now there is no excuse. We have been given the same opportunity as every other Kenyan to acquire an ID card, register as voters and access government services. Kindly let us take advantage of this,” Abdikheir said.
He also urged residents to reciprocate what he described as the government’s efforts by supporting President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
The legislator said the Kenya Kwanza administration had initiated development projects and introduced measures to address some of the long-standing challenges facing northern Kenya.
Leading the endorsement, Ugass Abdinasir Maalim Adan said the elders had carefully scrutinised all aspirants who had expressed interest in the seat before settling on the incumbent.
He said Abdikheir’s development record, leadership experience and commitment to the constituency had placed him ahead of his competitors.
“We have carefully assessed his performance and concluded that he deserves another term to complete the transformation of the Lafey constituency,” Adan said.
Another elder, Ugass Abdullahi Abdinur Gessey, said continuity was an important consideration in their decision.
He argued that changing leadership before ongoing programmes were completed could slow down development.
He cited education, healthcare, infrastructure and efforts to improve access to clean and reliable water as some of the areas where the MP had made notable contributions.
Abdikheir thanked the elders for entrusting him with the responsibility of carrying the community’s political flag into the 2027 elections.
He said the endorsement was particularly significant because several aspirants had sought the elders’ approval, adding that the decision amounted to a vote of confidence in his leadership.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured by the decision of our elders to endorse me for a second term. This is particularly significant because I was not the only person seeking their approval,” he said.
“I therefore accept this responsibility with humility and a renewed commitment to serve our people even better.”
The MP pledged to continue providing what he described as progressive and inclusive leadership while accelerating development in a constituency that he said had historically lagged behind other parts of the country in key development indicators.
He said a second term would allow him to consolidate gains made during his first tenure while pursuing new opportunities for residents.
His priorities, he said, would include education, infrastructure development, youth and women’s empowerment, and programmes targeting people living with disabilities.
“Lafey has for a long time lagged behind in development, and that is something we must collectively change. We have made progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done,” Abdikheir said.
“I am willing and ready to continue offering good leadership and working with our people to uplift this constituency.”
Lafey constituency is predominantly inhabited by three major Murule sub-clans — Yabarsen, Sharmake and Nacabsor. Yabarsen is the majority sub-clan, while Sharmake and Nacabsor are minority groups. Abdikheir comes from the Yabarsen sub-clan.
Among Somali and other pastoralist communities in northern Kenya, elders continue to wield considerable influence in determining the political direction of their communities.
Community members from the Murule Weytan during the
endorsement ceremony. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
