Wajir MCA Links His Abduction to Governor Amid Budget Row

• Apr 13, 2025

Wajir MCA Yussuf Hussein Ahmed has accused Governor Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed of being behind his alleged abduction. The incident, according to Hussein, was directly tied to his opposition to the Wajir County budget.

Hussein, who represents Dela Ward, says he was kidnapped on August 13, 2024, in Nairobi along Enterprise Road. He had travelled to the capital to meet with Governor Abdullahi and discuss county matters. He says the abduction happened just two days before their scheduled meeting.

“I arrived in Nairobi on September 12, 2024, for a planned meeting with Governor Ahmed on the 15th,” Hussein said. “But on the 13th, while leaving South C, I was taken by men armed with AK-47 rifles. They held me incommunicado for six months and released me on March 8, 2025, near Pangani.”

Hussein’s disappearance drew concern across Wajir, with both residents and political leaders demanding answers. There was growing frustration as months passed without any information on his whereabouts or those responsible. His eventual reappearance in March was welcomed, but the details of what happened during his absence remained unclear—until his recent revelations.

In a public statement released about a month after his release, Hussein alleged that his kidnapping was politically motivated. He claimed it was linked to his strong criticism of the county’s 2024 budget, which he says was passed without his input while he was in detention.

“Everything that happened to me was connected to my disagreements with the governor,” he said, adding that his opposition to the budget had caused serious friction between them.

The accusations have intensified political tensions in Wajir. While Governor Abdullahi has not officially responded to the claims, there is growing pressure for action. Civil society groups and human rights defenders have joined calls for an independent investigation, urging the national government to step in and ensure justice is done.

As pressure mounts on the county assembly and national security bodies, Hussein’s case is likely to raise bigger questions about political accountability and human rights in the region.