By ;Abdihakim Siyad
A fiery war of words has broken out between Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and prominent Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi over the county’s recent engagement with Saudi Arabia on potential development investments. What started as a tweet from the lawyer quickly escalated into a public showdown, exposing deeper tensions about leadership, funding, and the future of devolution in Kenya’s arid northern frontier.
The Tweet That Sparked the Storm
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir, never one to hold back on public commentary, took to social media with a bold statement:
On the basis of a formal invitation, I had the honor earlier today of participating in the Kenya-Saudi Trade and Investment Conference held in Jeddah. This pivotal forum aimed at deepening economic ties and expanding Saudi trade and investment interests in Kenya.
During the… pic.twitter.com/jOyKpvXcpr
— Gov. Nathif J. Adam, EGH (@Nathif_J_Adam) April 20, 2025
“Governor, you don’t need Saudi investment in Garissa. You receive a staggering Kshs 15 billion a year from the Central Government… that’s Kshs 120 billion (US $1 BILLION) for the 8 years you’re in office.”
Governor, you don't need Saudi investment in Garissa. You receive a staggering Kshs 15 billion a year from the Central government…that is Kshs 120 billion (US $1 BILLION) for the 8 years are in office… https://t.co/n1LmzatraK
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi SC (@ahmednasirlaw) April 21, 2025
The implication was clear: with such massive allocations, what justification did the county have to go seeking external funding? To many, the message was a challenge to the governor’s leadership and financial accountability.
But it didn’t take long before the governor clapped back—and hard.
Governor Nathif Fires Back: “This is not a village blog!”
In a strongly-worded public statement, Governor Nathif Jama responded with a tone that mixed disappointment with scorn. He began by expressing surprise that someone of Ahmednasir’s stature would make what he described as an uninformed attack.
“Frankly, it sounded more like the rant of a misinformed village blogger than the voice of the learned Senior Counsel I’ve always respected,” Nathif said.
He went on to dismantle the figures thrown around by the Senior Counsel, calling them exaggerated and lacking context. According to Nathif, even if the county did receive Kshs 15 billion annually—which he disputes—the majority of those funds go toward recurrent expenses: paying hospital staff, medical supplies, utility bills, fuel, and other administrative costs.
The governor’s main argument? That very little remains for actual development projects once these basic operations are covered. Thus, he argues, attracting external investment—like the one proposed with Saudi Arabia—is not only logical but necessary.
A Bigger Question: Mismanagement or Misunderstood?
The back-and-forth raises broader questions about how Kenyans view devolution. On one hand, critics like Ahmednasir often point to poor service delivery in counties despite the billions allocated. On the other hand, governors argue that the bulk of the funds are tied up in operational costs—leaving them with little room to make visible impact.
Governor Nathif asked a powerful question in his response:
“When a county seeks developmental partnerships and investments to fill this gap, how is that wrong? Would you also criticize the national government when it turns to development partners or even takes loans to meet its needs?”
It’s a comparison that hits home. If the national government is allowed to take loans and partner with foreign investors to drive infrastructure and services, why shouldn’t counties do the same?
Power, Pride, and Public Perception
This clash is about more than just numbers. It’s a battle of ideologies—and perhaps egos. Nathif Jama is fighting to defend his administration’s direction and justify its bold vision for Garissa’s future. Ahmednasir Abdullahi, known for his fearless critique of both local and national leaders, is holding the governor’s feet to the fire.
Yet, this isn’t the first time these two Northern heavyweights have locked horns indirectly. Both men carry significant influence in the region, and their latest showdown is likely to echo through political circles, especially as Kenya inches closer to future elections.
What’s Really at Stake for Garissa?
At the heart of it all lies a fundamental issue: development. Garissa County, like many others in Northern Kenya, continues to struggle with underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, and high unemployment
