Umulkheir Harun Declares Bid for Garissa Woman Rep, Vows Honest Politics
GARISSA – Nominated MP Umulkheir Harun has officially launched her campaign for the Garissa Woman Representative seat, pledging to reject corrupt campaign tactics and run on integrity and accountability.
Speaking in Garissa town after submitting her application to the Samawadhal Council of Elders, Harun said her decision was grounded in a lifelong commitment to public service, not personal enrichment.
“I have my entire life to make money, and I will not make money in politics. Besides my salary, I will not touch anything else. That I can assure you,” she said.
Harun criticized the region’s political culture, where candidates invest millions in campaigns and later seek to recover the money once elected. She warned that such behavior undermines trust in leadership and distorts priorities once in office.
“If somebody campaigns with Ksh40 million and gets into office, they will first want to recover that money within the first year,” she noted.
To avoid falling into this pattern, Harun said she will open a paybill number for voluntary public contributions to fund her campaign. She said the approach would ensure transparency and keep her accountable to the people.
Harun emphasized that she has never used her position in Parliament to seek contracts or favors.
“I earn a salary of Ksh700,000. I’ve never gone after a single contract, even when I had the capacity. I stayed true to my values. I was given a chance to represent the youth, and I didn’t want to let them down,” she said.
Addressing the region’s complex clan politics, Harun urged voters to support her based on merit and past service, not on her family background or marital ties.
“Don’t judge me based on where I’m married or whose child I am. Judge me as a leader who can champion your agendas,” she told the gathering.
She also vowed to continue advocating against abductions in the region and commended President William Ruto’s recent decision to scrap mandatory vetting for national ID issuance, a practice she has consistently opposed.
Garissa’s County Executive for Youth and Gender, Hawa Sahal, endorsed Harun’s candidacy and praised her leadership and advocacy.
“Umi has truly inspired me with her work. Her zeal and dedication to uplift lives, especially of the youth and women, is something to admire,” Sahal said.
Harun is an alumna of Alliance Girls High School and holds a computer science degree. In 2015, she founded Kesho Alliance, a non-governmental organization focused on increasing access to education for girls from pastoralist communities and empowering youth and women across Garissa and beyond.
Her campaign now shifts toward grassroots mobilization as she prepares to challenge for the Garissa Woman Representative seat in the upcoming election.
