When blessing becomes a ballot: Elders, Fātiḥa, and the Democratic Deficit in Garissa

By Abdullahi Abdi There is a Somali proverb whose wisdom should trouble anyone concerned about the direction of electoral politics in Garissa: Hal xaaraan ahi nirig xalaal ah ma dhasho. Loosely rendered, this means that an unlawfully acquired she-camel cannot give birth to a lawful calf. Its political meaning is compelling. A fundamentally defective process... The post When blessing becomes a…