By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
December, 12 2025 - Sahara Ahmed Bare, once forced into child marriage and later shamed by her community for returning to school as a young mother, is now rewriting the narrative that society tried to impose on her.
After years of abuse, bullying, and relentless stigma, she is stepping into the murky waters of the political arena, driven by experiences that shaped her resilience and inspired by her father’s quiet frustrations with compassionless leadership. Today, she is determined to transform the same society that once tried to silence her.
In a one-on-one interview with Dawan Africa, Sahara Ahmed, widely known as Sahara Siman, recounts her journey. Born 21 years ago in a family of ten siblings, she attended Ama Primary School in Modogashe, Garissa County.
Like many girls from Northeastern Kenya, she grew up navigating cultural pressures. She completed primary school, but what happened in Form One would alter her life entirely.
During the long COVID-19 school closures in 2020, just as she was preparing to join Form Two, she got married to a Somali national who had returned from abroad.
“Personally, I didn’t see it as marriage at that time. I saw it as an opportunity for my family. My father was struggling to raise us, and the man had promised to take me to America,” she said as the interview began.
At just 16, young and naïve, she was taken to Somalia to meet her husband. But the promise quickly turned into misery. For three months, she lived with him, enduring what she describes as the darkest period of her life.
“After finding it extremely hard to stay with him, I fled back to Garissa. But I was already pregnant, and that was the beginning of another battle,” she narrated.
When schools reopened in 2021, she made the brave decision to return to school. Instead of support, she met stigma and hostility, rejection that threatened to break her spirit.
Hoping to escape the bullying and judgmental stares, she transferred schools. But the story followed her everywhere. Teachers and students whispered; the community watched her every move.
Pregnancy was difficult, and delivery even harder. Being too young for a normal delivery, she underwent a C-section.
“With a baby, school became almost impossible. I was bullied constantly for having a child. But I was determined. I left my baby with my mother and pushed on,” she said.
After a short stint at Yathrib Girls in Garissa, she later transferred to Benane Mixed Secondary School, where she finally completed her studies in 2023.
Now, Sahara is vying for the position of Modogashe Ward Representative, a decision inspired by her father, whom she speaks about with deep affection.
“Despite struggling to raise us, he has always supported our extended family. He inspired me to help the vulnerable and the less privileged,” she noted.
As the fourth-born in a family of ten, Sahara says her father despises the indifference of political leaders who overlook the suffering of their people, despite having the power and resources to change lives.
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She had initially wanted to serve as a chief in her community, but cultural dynamics barred her.
Entering politics, a space dominated by men in her region, she expects backlash and resistance. But she remains unshaken.
“I understand the challenges, but I’ve already overcome tougher battles. I believe I’ll overcome this too,” she said, scribbling notes in her notebook as we spoke.
Sahara believes devolution was meant to end marginalization in Northeastern Kenya, but decades-old challenges persist.
“People in both urban and rural areas are still struggling with the same issues we had before devolution. Yes, some progress has been made, but we have a long way to go,” she said.
A political science and administration student at Garissa University, she believes the failure of devolution stems from constant conflict between governors and MCAs instead of a focus on grassroots needs.
“Problems that were there when I was born are still here. Politicians don’t seem to care. That’s why I want to change things if given the opportunity,” she said.
In Northeastern Kenya, elders play a crucial role in endorsing political candidates. Sahara has already begun her journey with them.
“I’ve spoken to some elders, and they’ve given me the green light. I’m hopeful I’ll emerge victorious,” she said.
Beyond politics, Sahara has been actively involved in community work, advocating against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and early marriage. She shares her story openly to inspire young girls facing the same pressures she endured.
“When people tell stories about early marriage, I tell them mine. It makes a difference. I want girls to know they can be anything,” she said.
As she sets her eyes on political office, Sahara remains grateful to her parents and the teachers who supported her journey across multiple schools.
She is deeply pained by how political elites use money to manipulate voters—fueling corruption and entitlement.
“This bribery has created trust issues. People take money because they don’t expect real leadership. It’s sad,” she said.
“I have a vision to transform my community. My appeal is for people to judge candidates by their vision, not by the money they hand out,” Sahara concluded.
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