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Mohammed Abduba Dida, who twice ran for Kenya’s presidency, is back in the news, but not for his political ambitions. The 49-year-old former teacher is currently serving a seven-year sentence at Big Muddy Correctional Center in Illinois, USA, for stalking and intimidating an unnamed individual.
Dida first gained national attention in 2013 with his outspoken style and unexpected bid for the presidency under the Alliance for Real Change (ARC) party. Despite entering the race late, just a month before the elections, he made a mark by vowing to end corruption and promote good governance. He surprised many by outperforming established political figures like Martha Karua of NARC-Kenya and Paul Muite.
Dida made a second attempt at the presidency in 2017, pushing for reforms across all sectors of Kenyan society. However, he finished fourth with 38,093 votes, or 0.25% of the total cast. Following this, he largely retreated from the political scene, occasionally posting updates on social media.
His recent troubles began in Illinois, where he was arrested and charged with stalking and violating a restraining order. In November 2022, he was convicted and sentenced to serve two years for stalking and an additional five years for violating the restraining order.
Born in Wajir in 1975, Dida began his career as a teacher, specializing in English literature and religious studies at Dadaab Secondary School in Kenya’s North Eastern region before moving to Lenana School in Nairobi. He left teaching in 2009 to pursue business ventures and later entered politics.
Since his imprisonment, Dida has filed several petitions in court, alleging mistreatment, including a lack of medical attention and denial of access to educational programs. However, on May 29, 2024, U.S. Magistrate Judge Gilbert Sison dismissed his claims after a probe found no legal basis for them.
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