Eastleigh residents urged to register as voters
Increased voter registration would strengthen the community's voice and enable residents to play a more influential role in shaping the country's political discourse.
Eastleigh residents have been urged to exercise their civic responsibility by registering as voters in large numbers ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a consultative meeting held on June 2, Eastleigh Business Community (EBC) Secretary General Omar Hussein said increased voter registration would strengthen the community's voice and enable residents to play a more influential role in shaping the country's political discourse.
With political activities expected to intensify in the lead-up to the 2027 polls, Omar emphasized the importance of active participation in social and political affairs at the local, regional, and national levels.
"We need to register more people as voters in Eastleigh and the entire Kamukunji constituency so that we increase our numbers and demonstrate our unity," he said.
He noted that Eastleigh's continued growth and development depend on unity and collective decision-making. Omar called on community elders, business leaders, and residents to work together in addressing challenges affecting the area and to speak with one voice on matters of common interest.
He also appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to establish additional voter registration centres in Eastleigh to make it easier for eligible residents to register.
Omar further reaffirmed the community's support for the government's development agenda, saying it has contributed to creating a stable and conducive business environment in Eastleigh.
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Among the resolutions adopted during the meeting was a call on residents to refrain from holding street celebrations to mark Somalia's Independence Day, saying the move would help preserve public order and security within the area.
He urged those wishing to commemorate the occasion to do so only at venues officially designated by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
Somalia's Independence Day is observed annually on July 1 to commemorate the 1960 union of British Somaliland and Italian Somaliland, which formed the Somali Republic. The day is traditionally marked by flag-raising ceremonies, patriotic gatherings, and cultural celebrations.
In previous years, however, some celebrations in Eastleigh have been accompanied by disorderly scenes that disrupted business activities and public order.
To further promote peace and cohesion, the meeting resolved to ban street gatherings organized around clan-based celebrations, which are commonly held in August. Omar said such events undermine community unity and instead encourage division.
He emphasized that the resolutions reached during the consultative meeting are intended to strengthen social cohesion, improve the business environment, safeguard public order, and enhance political participation among residents.
The meeting was chaired by Eastleigh Business Community Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi Yare, Deputy Chair Haji Abdi Madobe and attended by Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan, Eastleigh North MCA Ahmedkadar Dabar, and other community leaders.
