Clan elders move to reconcile Farah Maalim, Jama

Elders from the larger Aulian clan on Kenya-Somalia border have come together to resolve fight that broke out between former Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim and former Somali Minister Gele Jama in Nairobi.

Speaking in Garissa, Aulian clan elders led by their chairman Sultan Hamud Sheikh termed the bitter altercation last week as unfortunate and which should never have happened in the first place.

Hamud said the elders from the two sides have resolved the matter using local mechanisms, with Maalim commending the role played by the elders and the family in resolving the altercation.

“The incident was regrettable and should not have happened in the first place. I want to apologise to the community, the Somali and Kenyan population. We have now moved on and its behind us,” he said.

Maalim, who is eyeing Garissa Township parliamentary seat, has however refused to disclose what caused in the fight, criticising his political opponents for using the incident to seek political mileage.

“The people of Garissa can bank on me to bring transformational leadership if and when I succeed to be their next Member of Parliament,” he said.

In the one minute footage dated Thursday 29th September, the visibly annoyed Farah is seen slapping and punching the former Somali Minister on both cheeks as he tried to shield his face with his hands.