Mohammed Abduba Dida Turns to Podcasting After US Jail Term

Mohammed Abduba Dida has reappeared in the United States, presenting himself as a spiritual guide and launching a new public initiative.

The former Kenyan presidential candidate, who now lives in Minnesota, has begun releasing online videos outlining plans for a global spiritual outreach programme. He has revived a charity he first registered in 2017 and is seeking office space in Minnesota to support his activities. 

In a recent message to Kenyans, he urged the public to rise above tribal and religious divisions, describing his project as a call for shared responsibility. “God has created us to be His representatives on this earth… I request you to rise above tribe and religion. Think of the world,” he said.

Dida’s return to public life follows a period marked by legal difficulties in the United States. According to court records, he was imprisoned in Illinois in July 2021 after being convicted of stalking, transmitting threats, aggravated stalking and violating a restraining order obtained by his wife. 

He served part of a seven-year sentence at the Big Muddy Correctional Centre before being paroled in April 2025, and he remains under supervision until 2029. Some of his family members have said the offences stemmed from a misunderstanding of US laws, noting that he breached the restraining order after visiting a prayer centre located near his estranged wife’s home.

Dida, once known in Kenya for his sharp debate performances and unconventional political style, moved to the United States in 2019 to pursue further studies. His subsequent marriage to an American citizen was followed by the disputes that led to his conviction.