By Staff Reporter
Somali media personality, public affairs communicator and political figure Deeq Hassan Mohamed, popularly known as Deeq Darajo, has intensified his engagement with young people in Eastleigh, Nairobi, urging them to pursue economic opportunities, acquire marketable skills and take a more active interest in governance, democracy and the political future of their communities.
During a recent interaction with young people, Deeq addressed some of the socioeconomic challenges confronting the younger generation, including unemployment, economic hardship and the growing temptation among some youth to pursue irregular migration, commonly known as tahriib.
He encouraged young people to reject dangerous migration journeys and instead concentrate on acquiring practical skills, pursuing lawful employment and exploring entrepreneurship as sustainable pathways towards economic independence.
Beyond economic empowerment, however, Deeq placed significant emphasis on youth participation in public affairs and democratic processes. He encouraged young people to understand how governance institutions function and to develop a greater interest in issues affecting their communities.
According to Deeq, young people should not merely be concerned with employment and economic opportunities but should also possess a meaningful voice in decisions concerning governance, leadership and the future direction of society.
His message comes amid continuing debate surrounding electoral reform and democratic transition in Puntland, where calls for a transparent, credible and inclusive electoral system have increasingly occupied the region’s political discourse.
As a spokesperson of the Puntland Democratic Party (PDP), Deeq has consistently argued for meaningful modernisation of the existing electoral framework in order to strengthen public confidence and reinforce democratic legitimacy.
He has maintained that citizens should be empowered to directly elect their leaders through an electoral system founded on universal suffrage, equal participation and credible democratic competition.
The political communicator has further argued that democracy can only flourish where elections are free, fair, transparent and independently administered, ensuring that political authority genuinely derives from the will of the people.
The Puntland Democratic Party, represented in this position by Deeq Hassan Mohamed, has reiterated its support for a one person, one vote electoral system, placing direct citizen participation at the centre of democratic governance.
For Deeq, political reform and youth empowerment are intrinsically connected. He argues that a stronger and more inclusive democratic system can create greater opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making and meaningfully contribute to the development of their communities.
Deeq Darajo’s public profile has evolved through media, digital content creation, podcasting and public communication, where he has engaged audiences on social issues, youth development, governance and political affairs.
His recent interaction with Eastleigh youth reflects the convergence of his media background and growing involvement in public affairs and political communication.
He urged young people not to allow unemployment and economic hardship to convince them that leaving their country through dangerous routes represents their only opportunity for success.
Instead, he encouraged them to work, learn, develop professional competencies, establish businesses and remain actively engaged in shaping the future of their communities.
The engagement ultimately brought together two issues central to the future of young people: economic opportunity and democratic participation.
Deeq’s message was unequivocal young people require not only opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods but also a democratic environment in which their voices are recognised, respected and represented.
For a generation confronting unemployment, economic uncertainty and difficult choices surrounding migration, his call was for ab different path: one anchored in skills acquisition, lawful employment, entrepreneurship, civic awareness, democratic participation and long-term community development.
“Young people should not only be the future of our communities; they should also have a meaningful voice in shaping that future,” he said.
