Farah Maalim Biography: Early Life, Age, Education, Political Career and Controversies
Dadaab Member of Parliament Farah Maalim recently sparked controversy with his remarks on the ongoing abductions that have gripped the nation. The MP soon found himself at the receiving end of intense backlash after launching a tirade of insults aimed at Kenyan youth who have been outspoken in their criticism of President William Ruto.
The parliamentarian boasts an extensive career in public service, having been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics for over three decades. He has held various key positions, including serving as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013, and has been a passionate advocate for the rights of marginalized communities in Northern Kenya.
Early Life and Education
Maalim was born in 1964 in Garissa County, Kenya, and hails from the Aulihan Clan of the Somali ethnic group. He attended Maseno School and later pursued an MA in Development Studies. He also studied law at the University of Nairobi before enrolling at the Kenya School of Law to complete the statutory postgraduate law course, which is required for admission to the Kenyan roll of advocates.
Age
Farah Maalim was born in 1956. He is 69 years old as of 2025.
Political Career
Maalim’s political career began in the 1990s when he served as the Member of Parliament for Lagdera Constituency from 1992 to 1997 under the FORD-Kenya party. He earned recognition for his staunch advocacy for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly in northern Kenya.
In 2007, Maalim joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and was reelected as the Member of Parliament for Lagdera for a second term. During this period, he served as Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly from 2008 to 2013. His tenure was notable for his focus on parliamentary reforms and enhancing the efficiency of the legislature.
In the 2013 elections, Maalim contested the Garissa County Senate seat but lost to Yusuf Haji. However, he regained his political foothold in the 2022 elections, where he won the Dadaab MP seat in a landslide victory against Abdikheir Abdullahi Dubow, who was supported by then-incumbent MP Hon. Mohamed Dahir Duale.
Beyond his parliamentary work, Maalim is recognized for his contributions to education, social justice, and development in Kenya. He has been a strong advocate for peace and security in northern Kenya, a region grappling with inter-communal violence and extremism.
Controversies
Amid the June 2024 Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill, Maalim made controversial remarks targeting the youth, claiming the protests were an attempted coup against the government. In a viral video, he allegedly stated that if he were president, he would have “slaughtered” 5,000 Gen Z protesters daily, condemning their involvement in what he called an insurrection against the government.
His remarks sparked widespread outrage, leading to a summons from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to explain his statements, which were seen as inciting violence and discrimination. Maalim defended himself, claiming the video had been edited and manipulated to distort his words, suggesting that political opponents from Somalia might have been behind the alteration.
He was expelled from the Wiper Party, which also resulted in the removal of his Deputy Party Leader position. He was also kicked out of a beach hotel in Mombasa following his remarks.
On Friday, January 10, Maalim continued his verbal attack on the Kenyan youth in response to their criticism of the government and rumors of an attempt to remove President Ruto from office. His inflammatory remarks led critics to condemn his language, arguing that it was unbefitting of a parliamentarian and counterproductive to promoting healthy political dialogue.
Due to his recent remarks, Farah Maalim’s reputation as a prominent figure in Kenyan politics has come under scrutiny, especially regarding his advocacy for the development of northern Kenya and marginalized communities. Questions have been raised about his suitability to hold office in the future.
