Wajir Governorship aspirant Yahya
Mohamed Dahiye interacts with residents of Bulla Hodan, Wajir East /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Wajir gubernatorial aspirant Yahya Mohamed Dahiye has outlined a three-point agenda focused on early childhood education, revenue collection and municipal management as he seeks to succeed Governor Ahmed Abdullahi in the 2027 General Election.
Dahiye, the county’s current Chief Finance Officer, said improving the three sectors would strengthen service delivery, support development and improve residents’ living conditions.
Speaking during a meeting with residents of Bulla Hodan in Wajir East Sub-County on Friday, he said his campaign would prioritise direct engagement with voters to understand their concerns and explain his plans for the county.
His first priority is to improve early childhood development education (ECDE), which he said has received inadequate attention from successive administrations in the northern region.
“The first is to transform early childhood education. This is a sector that has been neglected by successive authorities in the northern region. I will personally prioritize its improvement by investing in more facilities and enhancing the welfare of children in our early learning centers,” he said.
Dahiye said better learning facilities and improved welfare for children would help create a strong foundation for education and prepare learners for higher levels of schooling.
His second priority is to increase the county’s own-source revenue to reduce reliance on allocations from the national government.
He said Wajir needed to identify sectors with greater revenue potential and strengthen collection systems to generate more money for development projects and essential services.
“As a region, we have not been collecting or generating sufficient local revenue to support our development needs. I will focus on sectors with the potential to generate more revenue and strengthen our revenue collection systems,” Dahiye said.
He added that a stronger revenue base would give the county greater flexibility in financing its development priorities.
His third priority is to improve the management of Wajir town and other municipalities, with an emphasis on urban planning, public spaces and recreational facilities.
“As a community, we have not done enough to improve the welfare of the general public through the establishment of parks, playing fields and recreational facilities,” he said.
Dahiye pledged to focus on developing and managing urban centres to meet residents’ needs as towns grow.
Residents who attended the meeting welcomed the three priorities, calling for better learning facilities, accountable revenue collection and improved municipal services.
Amina Hassan, a parent from Bulla Hodan, said investing in ECDE was important for children’s future.
“We are happy that he has identified ECDE as one of his priorities. Education begins at this level, and if we invest in our young children today, we will have a stronger generation tomorrow,” she said.
Jibril Hassan said improved revenue collection could help the county finance services, but urged authorities to ensure the process was fair and transparent.
Mohamed Hussein, an elder, called for better waste management, drainage, roads and public spaces to keep pace with urban growth.
Ahmed Garage said the three priorities were interconnected but challenged the aspirant to demonstrate how his proposals would translate into tangible improvements.
Dahiye’s campaign is also attracting attention for its emphasis on direct engagement with voters rather than beginning with traditional political mobilisation through clan elders and prominent community leaders.
The Bulla Hodan meeting followed similar engagements in Bulla Wagberi in Wagberi Ward and Bulla God Cade last month.
“The main reason I am conducting these public engagements is to ensure that the people of Wajir understand and experience the kind of governance they should expect from those seeking elective positions,” he said.
As the race gathers pace Dahiye faces the task of broadening his political support and convincing voters that his proposals can deliver measurable improvements in education, revenue collection and urban governance.
Wajir
gubernatorial aspirant Yahya Mohamed Dahiye addressing residents of Bulla Hodan/STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Residents
of Bulla Hodan during the meeting with Wajir gubernatorial aspirant Yahya
Mohamed Dahiye. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Amina Hassan, a parent and resident of
Bulla Hodan, speaking at the meeting./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Jibril Hassan, a resident, speaking. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Wajir County governorship aspirant Yahya Mohamed Dahiye is lifted shoulder-high by his supporters when he took his campaign in Bulla Hodan, Wajir East./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Ahmed Garage, a resident, speaking. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
