Saturday, October 08, 2016
THE THEN KENYA'S FOREIGN MINISTER, AMINA MOHAMED ON ALJAZEERA UPFRONT
SUMMARY
Ahead of the 2017 Kenyan presidential elections, Upfront’s Mehdi Hasan spoke with The then Kenya's Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed on the repatriation of Somali refugees, corruption allegations, the fight against Al-Shabab and the International Criminal Court.
“We are not violating any obligations. If we were, the whole world would have come down like a ton of bricks right on our heads,” Mohamed said, addressing a call by UNHCR for Kenya to reconsider its decision to close down the Dadaab refugee camp and repatriate Somali refugees, some of whom have been living there for almost 25 years.
“We have a tripartite agreement [with UNHCR and the Somali Federal Government] that we entered into in 2013, not yesterday, not today, not the day before,” Mohamed explained, highlighting what she felt was a failure instead by the international community to fulfill its own obligations to address residents of the world’s largest refugee camp.
Turning to the broader issue of Somalis in Kenya, Hasan pointed out that many groups, including the U.S. – a key ally of Kenya’s –, are alarmed with what they see as an increase in targeted torture, harassment and detainment of ethnic Somalis. She denied hearing about any of their concerns prior to appearing on Upfront, so could not verify the claims.
“They’ve just made it up?” Hasan asked. “They’re making it up,” Mohamed replied.
On the issue of corruption, Hasan pointed to a World Bank report that praised Kenya as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, but also to a report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which said that Kenya was the third most corrupt country in the world. It is an issue, Mohamed said, the government is being “self-reflective” about. “We are dealing with the issues.” She denied, however, a recent statement by Kenya’s auditor general that around two billion dollars had gone missing. “I respect everybody’s freedom to say what they need to say,” the foreign minister added. However, after being asked several times by Hasan if two billion dollars had gone missing in Kenya due to corruption, she responded, “No.”
In this interview, recorded prior to the attack in Northern Kenya, Mohamed was also asked about Kenya’s ongoing war against Somali armed group Al-Shabab, which has attacked Kenya numerous times in the last few years. “We’re winning the war in Kenya,” she said.
When asked to explain why Al-Shabab is able to attack and kill Kenyan civilians and armed forces, she responded, saying, “Tell me who has been able to completely stop these attacks?”
“Who are you comparing us to? Look at what’s happening in Western Europe, what’s happening in the rest of the world,” she added.
Lastly, Hasan pressed Mohamed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which dropped the charges of murder and crimes against humanity for Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister William Ruto. In its judgment, the ICC said it was unable to acquit or continue with the trial due to what it described as “troubling incidents of witness interference and intolerable political meddling.”
Mohamed argued the premise of the question was wrong and added that: “You don’t keep sentencing people. You allow due process to take place. And when due process has taken place, and people are found to be innocent….” But Hasan countered: “He was not found to be innocent. That is incorrect.”
Mohamed stated that Kenya has supported the ICC and believes in the rule of law, but seemed to question the judges, saying, “There is something already out there about the judges. But I will not go into it.”
This UpFront interview was with Amina Mohamed aired on Friday, 7 October 2016 at 19:30GMT / 22:30 EAT. The show is available through this link: www.aljazeera.com/upfront from 19.30GMT / 22:30EAT onwards and will also be embeddable from YouTube.
UpFront broadcasts on Fridays at 19.30 GMT. Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront.
- CS Amina, Although in the Debate was so much about defending The Jubilee Government, Her Employers, There was nothing else of Substance she added to the Plight of Somali Refugees in Kenya.
- The Kenya Human Rights, US CIA, All Corroborated statements by Witnesses of Extra Judicial Killings have been thrown in the Window. Being a Somali herself, She brought in, The Somali Bias, her clan being from Northern Somalia as most refugees were from Southern Somalia.
Ahead of the 2017 Kenyan presidential elections, Upfront’s Mehdi Hasan spoke with The then Kenya's Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed on the repatriation of Somali refugees, corruption allegations, the fight against Al-Shabab and the International Criminal Court.
“We are not violating any obligations. If we were, the whole world would have come down like a ton of bricks right on our heads,” Mohamed said, addressing a call by UNHCR for Kenya to reconsider its decision to close down the Dadaab refugee camp and repatriate Somali refugees, some of whom have been living there for almost 25 years.
“We have a tripartite agreement [with UNHCR and the Somali Federal Government] that we entered into in 2013, not yesterday, not today, not the day before,” Mohamed explained, highlighting what she felt was a failure instead by the international community to fulfill its own obligations to address residents of the world’s largest refugee camp.
Turning to the broader issue of Somalis in Kenya, Hasan pointed out that many groups, including the U.S. – a key ally of Kenya’s –, are alarmed with what they see as an increase in targeted torture, harassment and detainment of ethnic Somalis. She denied hearing about any of their concerns prior to appearing on Upfront, so could not verify the claims.
“They’ve just made it up?” Hasan asked. “They’re making it up,” Mohamed replied.
On the issue of corruption, Hasan pointed to a World Bank report that praised Kenya as one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, but also to a report by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) which said that Kenya was the third most corrupt country in the world. It is an issue, Mohamed said, the government is being “self-reflective” about. “We are dealing with the issues.” She denied, however, a recent statement by Kenya’s auditor general that around two billion dollars had gone missing. “I respect everybody’s freedom to say what they need to say,” the foreign minister added. However, after being asked several times by Hasan if two billion dollars had gone missing in Kenya due to corruption, she responded, “No.”
In this interview, recorded prior to the attack in Northern Kenya, Mohamed was also asked about Kenya’s ongoing war against Somali armed group Al-Shabab, which has attacked Kenya numerous times in the last few years. “We’re winning the war in Kenya,” she said.When asked to explain why Al-Shabab is able to attack and kill Kenyan civilians and armed forces, she responded, saying, “Tell me who has been able to completely stop these attacks?”
“Who are you comparing us to? Look at what’s happening in Western Europe, what’s happening in the rest of the world,” she added.
Lastly, Hasan pressed Mohamed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), which dropped the charges of murder and crimes against humanity for Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister William Ruto. In its judgment, the ICC said it was unable to acquit or continue with the trial due to what it described as “troubling incidents of witness interference and intolerable political meddling.”
Mohamed argued the premise of the question was wrong and added that: “You don’t keep sentencing people. You allow due process to take place. And when due process has taken place, and people are found to be innocent….” But Hasan countered: “He was not found to be innocent. That is incorrect.”
Mohamed stated that Kenya has supported the ICC and believes in the rule of law, but seemed to question the judges, saying, “There is something already out there about the judges. But I will not go into it.”
This UpFront interview was with Amina Mohamed aired on Friday, 7 October 2016 at 19:30GMT / 22:30 EAT. The show is available through this link: www.aljazeera.com/upfront from 19.30GMT / 22:30EAT onwards and will also be embeddable from YouTube.
UpFront broadcasts on Fridays at 19.30 GMT. Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront.
AMBASSADOR BISHAR HUSSEIN REELECTED DIRECTOR GENERAL - UPU
Former UAE ambassador Bishar Hussein has been reelected director general of the Universal Postal Union. He will lead the UN organisation until 2020. Hussein has been serving in the position since 2012 and his current term ends this year. The next begins in 2017.
UPU is responsible for the development of postal business in the world. It comprises 192 member countries and supports cooperation between international postal players.
Hussein defeated Uruguay’s Serrana Bassini Casco by 87 votes to 72.
Foreign Affairs CS Mohamed Amina and ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru supported his reelection in Istanbul, Turkey, where the polls were held.
In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed expressed gratitude to the international community for reelecting Hussein. She said his reelection is a vote of confidence in Kenya.
Monday, September 19, 2016
KENYA - SOMALIA BORDER ROW AT ICC, THE HAGUE
IN SUMMARY
Kenya says Somalia jumped the gun when it filed a case before International Court of Justice, in spite of signing an agreement to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels.
In the ongoing initial submissions presented to the Court on Monday, Kenya’s Attorney-General Githu Muigai said there exists a valid agreement with Somalia on how to resolve a maritime boundary dispute between the two countries specifically through negotiations.
But Kenya’s lawyer Karim Khan accused Mogadishu of “changing” the substance of the case after they realised the 2009 agreement between the two is valid despite Somalia’s insistence that it didn’t ratify it.
“A treaty cannot be declared null and void just because one of the signatories has violated its own internal laws,” Mr Khan argued.
He was referring to a previous similar case between Senegal and Guinea Bissau when judges agreed that validity of a signed agreement between states cannot be negated if one fails to follow internal procedures relating to adopting it.
In another scenario, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said the government and people of Somalia will not give up an inch of its territory.
Sheikh Mohamud comments come as hearing of Indian Ocean maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia is set in International Court of Justice in Hague later on Monday. The President said he is very confident that Somalia will win the case since the disputed territory belongs to people of Somalia without question.
"The area under dispute between us and our neighbours belongs to Somalia and we will not give up one meter," he said.
He said efforts by the two neighbouring states to end the dispute in out of court settlement did not bear fruit and thus submitted to the court.
"There is no diplomatic raw between Kenya and Somalia and we will defend our territorial integrity," said the President.
Preliminary objections
In Kenya’s preliminary objections, Nairobi told the court that Somalia rushed to block a chosen path to resolve the dispute through the UN Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS), despite both sides agreeing to wait for its recommendations. In 2009, Kenya and Somalia reached the deal, which was then deposited to the UN in 2011. The agreement had stated that the border would run east along the line of latitude although further negotiations were to be held through the UN CLCS.
This agreement also stated that maritime boundary adjustments would only occur after the commission had established the outer limits of shelf and that both sides would avoid courts as much as possible over the matter. But Somalia, first rejected the MoU claiming its parliament had rejected it, then wrote to the UN to object to Kenya’s submissions about how the boundary should run a week before filing the case in July 2014.
Somalia went ahead to claim that in fact, the agreement signed between then Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula and then Somalia Planning Minister Abdirahman Warsame was drafted entirely by Kenyan officials. Mr Khan accused Somalia of filing an inaccurate report to the court, charging that negotiations leading to the MoU had involved a renowned Norwegian diplomat hired by Mogadishu as a legal adviser on the matter, as well as a Somali legal official.
In fact, the Kenyan legal team accused Somalia of introducing the excuse of parliament yet there had been no notice of the same during and immediately after the MoU was signed.
“There is no record of any such thing…it is remarkable that Somalia’s memorial reproduced every paragraph…except that provision. Somalia did not communicate that there was a legal requirement for ratification by parliament,” Mr Khan argued.
The Kenyan lawyers said the MoU with Somalia listed the specific area of the boundary to be resolved and that it was clear that parties had agreed not to use litigation.
“This means that the parties have agreed to resolve the matter through negotiations and not through recourse to the courts,” French lawyer Prof Mathias Forteau argued.
The area in contest is about 100,000 square kilometres, forming a triangle east of the Kenya coast.
In Kenya’s situation, it means Somalia wants the boundary to extend diagonally to the south at Kiunga into the sea, and not eastwards as it is today. But that may also affect Kenya’s sea border with Tanzania.
Somalia is basing its arguments on Articles 15, 74 and 83 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both countries ratified in 1989.
The cited articles state that where two states share coasts adjacent or opposite each other, neither state should extend territorial boundaries beyond the median line “every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two states is measured” except where there is an agreement to do so.
Kenya is fronting prominent international lawyers who include Britons Vaughan Lowe QC and Prof Alan Boyle, Ms Amy Sanders and Mr Karim A. Khan QC as well as Prof Mathias Forteau from France.
- Githu Muigai said there exists a valid agreement with Somalia on how to resolve a maritime boundary dispute between the two countries specifically through negotiations.
- Kenya told the court that Somalia rushed to block a chosen path to resolve the dispute through the UN Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS), despite both sides agreeing to wait for its recommendations.
Kenya says Somalia jumped the gun when it filed a case before International Court of Justice, in spite of signing an agreement to resolve the matter through diplomatic channels.
In the ongoing initial submissions presented to the Court on Monday, Kenya’s Attorney-General Githu Muigai said there exists a valid agreement with Somalia on how to resolve a maritime boundary dispute between the two countries specifically through negotiations.
But Kenya’s lawyer Karim Khan accused Mogadishu of “changing” the substance of the case after they realised the 2009 agreement between the two is valid despite Somalia’s insistence that it didn’t ratify it.
“A treaty cannot be declared null and void just because one of the signatories has violated its own internal laws,” Mr Khan argued.
He was referring to a previous similar case between Senegal and Guinea Bissau when judges agreed that validity of a signed agreement between states cannot be negated if one fails to follow internal procedures relating to adopting it.
In another scenario, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said the government and people of Somalia will not give up an inch of its territory.
Sheikh Mohamud comments come as hearing of Indian Ocean maritime dispute between Kenya and Somalia is set in International Court of Justice in Hague later on Monday. The President said he is very confident that Somalia will win the case since the disputed territory belongs to people of Somalia without question.
"The area under dispute between us and our neighbours belongs to Somalia and we will not give up one meter," he said.
He said efforts by the two neighbouring states to end the dispute in out of court settlement did not bear fruit and thus submitted to the court.
"There is no diplomatic raw between Kenya and Somalia and we will defend our territorial integrity," said the President.
Preliminary objections
In Kenya’s preliminary objections, Nairobi told the court that Somalia rushed to block a chosen path to resolve the dispute through the UN Commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (CLCS), despite both sides agreeing to wait for its recommendations. In 2009, Kenya and Somalia reached the deal, which was then deposited to the UN in 2011. The agreement had stated that the border would run east along the line of latitude although further negotiations were to be held through the UN CLCS.
This agreement also stated that maritime boundary adjustments would only occur after the commission had established the outer limits of shelf and that both sides would avoid courts as much as possible over the matter. But Somalia, first rejected the MoU claiming its parliament had rejected it, then wrote to the UN to object to Kenya’s submissions about how the boundary should run a week before filing the case in July 2014.
Somalia went ahead to claim that in fact, the agreement signed between then Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula and then Somalia Planning Minister Abdirahman Warsame was drafted entirely by Kenyan officials. Mr Khan accused Somalia of filing an inaccurate report to the court, charging that negotiations leading to the MoU had involved a renowned Norwegian diplomat hired by Mogadishu as a legal adviser on the matter, as well as a Somali legal official.
In fact, the Kenyan legal team accused Somalia of introducing the excuse of parliament yet there had been no notice of the same during and immediately after the MoU was signed.
“There is no record of any such thing…it is remarkable that Somalia’s memorial reproduced every paragraph…except that provision. Somalia did not communicate that there was a legal requirement for ratification by parliament,” Mr Khan argued.
The Kenyan lawyers said the MoU with Somalia listed the specific area of the boundary to be resolved and that it was clear that parties had agreed not to use litigation.
“This means that the parties have agreed to resolve the matter through negotiations and not through recourse to the courts,” French lawyer Prof Mathias Forteau argued.
The area in contest is about 100,000 square kilometres, forming a triangle east of the Kenya coast.
In Kenya’s situation, it means Somalia wants the boundary to extend diagonally to the south at Kiunga into the sea, and not eastwards as it is today. But that may also affect Kenya’s sea border with Tanzania.
Somalia is basing its arguments on Articles 15, 74 and 83 of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both countries ratified in 1989.
The cited articles state that where two states share coasts adjacent or opposite each other, neither state should extend territorial boundaries beyond the median line “every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two states is measured” except where there is an agreement to do so.
Kenya is fronting prominent international lawyers who include Britons Vaughan Lowe QC and Prof Alan Boyle, Ms Amy Sanders and Mr Karim A. Khan QC as well as Prof Mathias Forteau from France.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
ISIOLO CLASHES: ISIOLO BELONGS TO THE SOMALI PEOPLE SINCE 1914
Summary:
The attack follows last week's killings in Garfasa, Garba Tula Sub County where three people were killed by Somali armed men from Lagdera, Garissa County.
Isiolo Police Commander Charles Ontita said angry Borana herders shot dead a 20-year-old man and an eight-year-old boy from the Somali community while they were resting in their home. A two-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy who were injured and were taken to Benale hospital for treatment.
The police boss added that the heavily armed men were shooting aimlessly prompting other Somali’s to flee towards Garissa. He further confirmed that no arrests had been made, adding that the attackers did not steal any animals.
Isiolo is a town in the former Eastern Province, Kenya. It is situated in the Upper Eastern sub-region, and lies 285 kilometres north of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The town grew around the local military camps, much of the population being descended from former Somali soldiers who had fought in World War I as well as other Cushitic-speaking pastoral communities and the Ameru community.
INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED
Mr Ontita also said investigations had been launched with the aim of arresting the attackers and urged locals not to take the law into their hands.
“There has been tension in the area following invasion by Somali herders from Lagdera Sub-County in search of water and pasture for their livestock,” he said.
The pastoralists have been accused of invading Isiolo with their livestock without following proper procedures set by the Borana community. Police have been deployed in the area following the incident in a bid to stop further retaliatory attacks between the two communities.
At least six people died and three were injured last week in the Borana-Somali clashes in Isiolo.
Political leaders from Isiolo have condemned the attack and called on the government to remove Somali herders from Isiolo saying they are causing tension.
- The attack follows last week's killings in Garfasa, Garba Tula Sub County where three people were killed by Somali armed men from Lagdera.
- The police boss added that the heavily armed men were shooting aimlessly prompting other Somali’s to flee towards Garissa.
- He further confirmed that no arrests had been made, adding that the attackers did not steal any animals.
- Isiolo has been a Somali Inhabited Town since 1914.
At least six people died and three were injured last week in the Borana-Somali clashes in Isiolo.Two people were shot dead Saturday and two others injured in Boji, Isiolo County following a retaliatory attack by suspected Borana herders.
The attack follows last week's killings in Garfasa, Garba Tula Sub County where three people were killed by Somali armed men from Lagdera, Garissa County.
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| Kenya Parliamentary Hansard Report in 1970 Motion being Boundary Commission for Isiolo |
The police boss added that the heavily armed men were shooting aimlessly prompting other Somali’s to flee towards Garissa. He further confirmed that no arrests had been made, adding that the attackers did not steal any animals.
Isiolo is a town in the former Eastern Province, Kenya. It is situated in the Upper Eastern sub-region, and lies 285 kilometres north of Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The town grew around the local military camps, much of the population being descended from former Somali soldiers who had fought in World War I as well as other Cushitic-speaking pastoral communities and the Ameru community.
INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED
Mr Ontita also said investigations had been launched with the aim of arresting the attackers and urged locals not to take the law into their hands.
“There has been tension in the area following invasion by Somali herders from Lagdera Sub-County in search of water and pasture for their livestock,” he said.
The pastoralists have been accused of invading Isiolo with their livestock without following proper procedures set by the Borana community. Police have been deployed in the area following the incident in a bid to stop further retaliatory attacks between the two communities.
At least six people died and three were injured last week in the Borana-Somali clashes in Isiolo.
Political leaders from Isiolo have condemned the attack and called on the government to remove Somali herders from Isiolo saying they are causing tension.
Thursday, September 08, 2016
HAJJ MEAT COMES MOSTLY FROM SOMALIA
BERBERA, SOMALIA
Every year, Somalia exports millions of livestock to Saudi Arabia to feed the millions of Muslim faithful making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
From the hinterlands to the Somalia to the Ports of Mogadishu and Berbera, millions of sheep and goats are on the move in the Horn of Africa republic.
The animals are en route to Saudi Arabia for use as sacrificial offerings for millions of Muslims making the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca known as the Hajj.
The livestock trade to the Middle East accounts for 60 percent of Somalia's gross domestic product and 70 percent of its jobs.
Some Muslims consider the black-headed sheep to have religious significance relating to the prophet Abraham.
Livestock owners earn their livelihood from the livestock and that they feel supporting the Islamic community in having a good Hajj festival, is an added Bonus.
Once sold in the markets, the animals are trucked to the Somalia Ports of Mogadishu or Berbera at the Red Sea where they wait in quarantine for weeks receiving blood tests and vaccinations.
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| Herders guide goats and sheep the at the livestock market in the Somalia Second City Hargeisa before sending them to the port of Berbera for export, August 9, 2016. (J. Patinkin/VOA) |
Past accusations of disease among Northern Somalia livestock led Saudi Arabia to temporarily ban imports of Somalia's animals.
Northern Somalia Federal Government veterinarian Ali Mahamud Gulled said the Berbera Port quarantine holds over a million animals at the height of the Hajj.
"It's very, very important we guarantee that no disease is carried and infected to the imported country ... because then that will affect us economically, drastically. It could result in a ban of our livestock, so we make sure that each and every animal leaving here is free of diseases," said Gulled.
After quarantine, the sheep and goats load onto ships holding between 20,000 and 120,000 animals. The animals are often loaded at night when the air is cooler.
Somalia Now faces competition from Sudan, Australia, and other countries who also export livestock to the Hajj.
Abdi Osman Haji, a researcher with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, which supports the livestock sector, said Somalia must modernize its industry to stay ahead.
"The market facilities are very dilapidated and they are not up to date ... I am sure Somalia cannot maintain its current position if we don't improve the whole export value chain," said Haji.
Haji said Somalia lags behind in terms of treatment of the animals too.
"Animal welfare is not on the agenda here and that has to be introduced. Animals, when they are deported via ships and via trucks, they are not according to international standards. They should comply [with] animal welfare conditions," said Haji.
Even so, the annual export of animals from Somalia to Saudi Arabia remains vital for both countries.
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| Goats and sheep climb aboard a ship in the Somalia port of Berbera which will sail for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, August 16, 2016. (J. Patinkin/VOA) |
Wednesday, September 07, 2016
SOMALIA STOPS MIRAA DUE TO GOVERNOR MUNYA'S INTERFERENCE IN SOMALIA'S POLITICS
Speaking during the 53rd Madaraka Day celebrations held at the Meru National Polytechnic, Munya said that Miraa farmers are already suffering dire economic consequences from the ban of the crop in the European market.
Somalia Government is accusing Governor Munya of Not following Protocol when dealing with Somalia's Politics. He Flew to Hargeisa, A breakAway Region of Somalia, Currently Known as Somaliland and promised them recognition without Mogadishu's Approval. Munya is now appealing to the national government to use all the available diplomatic measures and any other means to ensure that the Somalia Market is not closed.
The Governor also advocated for national government to apply diplomatic pressure in a bid to ensure the Miraa markets in Europe are re-opened.
That move jolted the khat market, resulting in a miraa supply glut that not only pushed down its prices but also the livelihoods of more than 800,000 produce growers in Meru County.
In April, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a Ksh 1 billion budgetary allocation to cushion miraa farmers from the challenges brought about by the importation ban to European markets.
He also signed into law, a Bill that categorized miraa as a cash crop.
The Mediated Version of the Miscellaneous Amendment Bill No. 2 made minor amendments to the Crops Act to recognize miraa as a cash crop.
The Act also obligates the national government to establish mechanisms for promotion, production, distribution and marketing of miraa as a cash crop
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
KENYA INSTITUTES JUDICIAL INQUIRY ON FORCED DISAPPERANCES & KILLINGS
Kenya: Set up judicial inquiry into hundreds of enforced disappearances and killings
The Kenyan government must set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate and bring to justice all those suspected of criminal responsibility for extrajudicial executions and enforced disappearances, said 13 Kenyan and global human rights organizations today as they marked the International Day of the Disappeared.
Kenyan and global human rights organizations have documented more than 300 cases of individuals who have gone missing while in the hands of security agencies since 2009, some of whom have later been found killed.
“Enforced disappearances have become a widespread practice, and a dark stain on the fabric of law enforcement in Kenya that can only be sustainably addressed by bringing to account those suspected of responsibility through fair trials,” said Peter Kiama, Executive Director of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU).
“But fair trials cannot take place without prompt, impartial and effective investigations into the myriad cases of disappearances and executions.”
Just this month, the High Court in Nairobi found that a prominent human rights lawyer and two other men had been subjected to enforced disappearance and later executed by police. The bodies of Willie Kimani, who worked for International Justice Mission, his client Josphat Mwendwa and their taxi driver Joseph Muiruri, were found dumped in a river about 73 kilometres northwest of Nairobi in July.
Kenya must take concrete steps towards ratifying the Convention without making any reservation so as to ensure that impunity does not prevail for this cruel human rights violation
Many of the enforced disappearances have taken place in the context of operations against perceived members or sympathisers of the Somalia-based Islamist militant group, Al-Shabaab.
“While indeed Kenya faces a real security threat from Al-Shabaab, it must not resort to unlawful responses that amount to crimes under international law and violate human rights,” said Kamau Ngugi, Executive Director of the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders.
“It should instead insist on strict respect for human rights and due process at all times, including in its security operations. This must begin with ensuring criminal accountability for both individual police officers and their superiors who knew or should have known of the enforced disappearances and killings and failed to take all necessary measures to prevent or repress them.”
Kenya has signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, but has yet to ratify it.
“Enforced disappearance is a crime under international law. Kenya must take concrete steps towards ratifying the Convention without making any reservation so as to ensure that impunity does not prevail for this cruel human rights violation,” said Justus Nyang’aya, Country Director of Amnesty International Kenya.
The human rights organizations will hold a public event at Strathmore University’s main auditorium from 4:30pm today in honour of victims of enforced disappearance and to demand justice, truth and reparation for them.
Signed hereunder:
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
Kenya Human Rights Commission
National Coalition for Human Rights Defenders – Kenya
Protection International
Amnesty International Kenya
Independent Medico-Legal Unit
Constitution & Reform Education Consortium (CRE-CO)
Kenyans for Peace with Truth and Justice
Africa Centre for Open Governance
International Justice Mission
International Commission of Jurists – Kenya
Legal Resources Foundation Trust
Usalama Reforms Forum
Monday, July 25, 2016
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH ON DEATH & DISAPPERANCES AMONG SOMALIS OF KENYA
Kenyan security officers have secretly abducted at least 34 people in the last two years during abusive counter terrorism operations, a report has found.
The Human Rights Watch report, which will be officially released on Wednesday, stated the disappearances were mostly in Nairobi and North Eastern. The report, titled 'Deaths and Disappearances: Abuses in Counter terrorism Operations in Nairobi and in Northeastern Kenya', says persons are reported missing but that the government takes no action.
"In months, and in some cases over a year later, suspects have not been charged with any crimes and families cannot locate them," it reads in part.
It adds that authorities do not inform families of the detainees' whereabouts and do not properly investigate allegations of abuse.
It documents 34 instances of multi-agency security operations in which the military was actively involved in raiding homes and compounds to arrest people allegedly suspected of links with al Shabaab.
Some of the individuals interviewed by the Human Rights Watch recounted their ordeals.
"My brother Omar Yusuf was picked by two men from the Anti-Terror police unit. That was the last day that he was seen," a respondent, Adan, said.
He said his brother was picked on April 26, 2016.
Video courtesy of Human Rights Watch
A woman named Halima said men, some in police uniform and others in plain clothes, picked her relative and put her in a Toyota Probox. "They then drove away with her. They said they were going to ask her questions and would bring her back," she recounted.
HRW urged Kenyan authorities to end the abuses in counter terrorism operations and promptly investigate the enforced disappearances.
'Extrajudicial killings' suspected
There have also been complaints of extrajudicial killings in such cases and the government has been severely criticised.
Following the murder of controversial businessman Jacob Juma in May, opposition leaders pointed the finger at the government saying police will remain prime suspects if they do not complete the probe and identify the perpetrators.
In the most recent case, four police officers were on Monday, July 18, 2016 charged with murder of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani and two others. Kimani, his client boda boda operator Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri went missing on June 23 after attending a court session of an attempted murder suit against a police officer.
Another case of suspected extrajudicial killings has seen about 10 bodies dumped near IDP camps in Mai Mahiu this year alone.
Majority of the Non-Somali Kenyans Commenting on Human Rights Watch say the Police are doing great and even are wondering why 1000 Somalis are not dissapearing. ...My own Tribe which are residents of almost 40% of Kenyan Land and whom you associate to ALSHABAAB. It is important to point to them that, Wasomali hawakai kwa mtu wanakaa kwao hapa Kenya. If it's ALSHABAAB that is the problem, it is also affecting our own people. Our own Chiefs, Homeguards are killed by them everyday. The HRW was trying to imply that, You can get the person who messed with us and take him through legal justice sio kuuwa watu hoehae...This will be disastrous to our Security here in Kenya. It will not solve anything. It will just create even more issues.
Kenyans make much noise when Non-Somalis are killed by the same police but are happy When Somalis are Killed. That is Double Standard. These Dissapperances will entice AL-SHABAAB and create animosity as obviously hawa watu hawatakuwa na kisasi pia kwajili watu wao wameuliwa....The Police can do their work smartly. Watumie intelligence kushika one by one lakini ukisema utauwa all suspects....It doesn't work out...Ni shida ndio tuna ongeza...Police should do their work in a 21st century technology.
Monday, June 27, 2016
ID CARDS PROBLEMS IN NORTH EASTERN & TANA RIVER COUNTIES
Hundreds of youths in Madogo,Tana River county on Saturday took to the streets to protest against delayed in issuance of national identity cards. The over 500 youths waving placards and banners blocked the busy Garissa Nairobi road paralyzing transport for close to two hours.
Maulid Mohamed, a local resident, claimed he has been waiting for the identification papers for the past two years.
“I applied for an ID card in 2014. I was given a waiting card and promised that I would get it within three months. The registration officials always take me in circles whenever I ask forthe ID,” Mohamed said.
Mohamed said lack of an ID has left him stranded since he can’t travel, open a bank account, enroll for studies or even secure employment. Another protester Shukri Ibrahim, 23, who competed his secondary education in 2009, said the government was discriminating against the area in giving the IDs. He claimed the registration office had become partisan and that it is used by politicians to selectively issue ID cards. He said lack of IDs had become synonymous with constant police harassment every time there is a security operation.
But when contacted on the phone, Tana River County Registrar of persons Benson Kwendo said those with issues should go the nearest registration office for verification of their waiting cards.
Friday, May 06, 2016
KENYA CLOSING REFUGEE CAMPS
BREAKING NEWS:
Kenya to shut down refugee camps sending some 600, 000 refugees packing , disbands Dept of Refugee Affairs and cites "national security interests".
Kenya has it's own Somali Citizens and the ones being repatriated are from Somalia. in 2010 Kenya Population Census, Somalis of Kenyan Citizenship number about 3 Million and Live in Expansive land than all Kenya Ethnic Communities.
The Letter from The Ministry of Interior of The Kenyan Government are as below.
Kenya to shut down refugee camps sending some 600, 000 refugees packing , disbands Dept of Refugee Affairs and cites "national security interests".
Kenya has it's own Somali Citizens and the ones being repatriated are from Somalia. in 2010 Kenya Population Census, Somalis of Kenyan Citizenship number about 3 Million and Live in Expansive land than all Kenya Ethnic Communities.
The Letter from The Ministry of Interior of The Kenyan Government are as below.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
SOMALILAND AND AL SHABAAB AGAINST SOMALIA'S FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
February 14, 2016
Written By Swedish Investigative Journalists Peter Wolfson & Greta Backstrom
Many accounts misapprehend the nature of the relationship between Somaliland and al-Shabaab. The relationship, in fact, goes far beyond contact and coexistence, with significant financial assistance by Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior and Intelligence Agency providing the bulk of al-Shabaab’s financing and weapons, according to sources and al-Shabaab captured leaders. Somaliland intelligence is directly funded by foreign intelligence agencies, according to reports.
Somaliland Minister of Interior Ali Waran-Ade and other senior political, military, and business leaders including former ministers Mohamed Bihi Yonis, Hirsi Ali Hassan, and Suleiman Esa Ahmed as well as Colonel Muse Bihi Abdi and Abdirashid Duale, the CEO of Dahabshiil have actively financed and supported al-Shabaab as part of a strategy to undermine political and security progress in Somalia and boost support for Somaliland recognition.
Somaliland uses western economic development and security funds to finance al-Shabaab operations in Somalia. Waran-Ade, a former senior intelligence officer for the Siyad Barre’s National Security Services (NSS) directed financing and provided material support to al-Shabaab operations.
Al-Shabaab has a strong support in Somaliland, according to captured senior al-Shabaab commander and the government orchestrates, sustains as well as strongly influences the movement operations in Somalia. Somaliland also gives sanctuary to the families of senior al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida leaders, and provides support in terms of training, funding, munitions, and supplies for al-Shabaab. In their words, this is ‘as clear as the sun in the sky’.
Directly or indirectly Somaliland appears to exert significant influence on the strategic decision-making and field operations of al-Shabaab; and has greater away over operatives. According to recently defected al-Shabaab commander, Somaliland intelligence controls al-Shabaab’s counterintelligence units “Amniyat”, who are recruited from radical mosques in Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera Gabiley and Borama.
Former al-Shabaab operatives confirmed that the Somaliland Intelligence was represented on the al-Shabaab leadership council, known as the Shura, and the Security Council. Indeed, the agency appears to have circumscribed the al-Shabaab’s strategic autonomy.
Waran-Ade himself has apparently assured senior al-Shabaab leaders that they are ‘our people’ and have his backing. He has also apparently authorized al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida fighters and supporters release from Somaliland prisons, including senior al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula operative who was captured in Berbera on his way to Lower Shebelle to meet with al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Umar.
In 2012, Somaliland police detained and released al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Godane, al-Shabaab external operation leader Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir (Ikrima) and operative Ismail Muse, reportedly now head of al-Shabaab Mogadishu operations, who is one of the highest ranking in the movement below al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Umar. The group was in Burco to meet with al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula emissaries and Dahabshiil and other al-Shabaab financiers.
Somaliland’s involvement with al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula is having a major implication for the international community. The governments of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti have all been alarmed by the Somaliland, al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida nexus. Ethiopia and Djibouti have restricted borders with Somaliland.
Diplomatic outposts and international organizations have been instructed to relocate from Hargeisa to Mogadishu and limit contacts with senior Somaliland government officials.
Somaliland Strategy
Through providing sanctuary and support to al-Shabaab, Somaliland appears to be able to exert significant influence on al-Shabaab strategy. As a Somaliland political figure summarized: ‘Somaliland has some control “over the al-Shabaab”. They have influence in al-Shabaab’s decision-making. Sure, they have dominated the movement, but al-Shabaab has some independence. Likewise, a security analyst said: ‘al-Shabaab is obliged to accept Somaliland demands – it needs their support.’
The Somaliland-al-Shabaab relationship is founded on mutual benefits. Al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida need external sanctuary, as well as military and logistical support to sustain their insurgency in Somalia and Yemen. As a former al-Shabaab operative put it: ‘Somaliland are helping al-Shabaab a lot, but they only give for their own gain. According to the conflict analyst: ‘there is not an equal relationship between Somaliland and al-Shabaab – Somaliland is far more powerful. Al-Shabaab doesn’t have any choice except to live in Somaliland; where else can they go?’
Somaliland Leadership Collusion with Foreign Terrorist Organization’s
Security experts are divided on the extent to which Somaliland policy towards al-Shabaab insurgents is determined independently of civilian officials. Somaliland officials were aware of Waran-Ade’s and Somaliland intelligence role in supporting al-Shabaab and were actively encouraging it.’
The Daallo Airlines terrorist incident in early February and the bombing of seafood restaurant in Mogadishu suggest that the policy is approved at the highest level of Somaliland government. Al-Shabaab senior operative Ismail Muse, who planned, coordinated and financed both Daallo Airline and Mogadishu seafood restaurant attacks made several trips to Hargeisa, Burco and Borama to meet with Dahabshiil and senior Somaliland intelligence officer code name “Dagaxbuur”.
According to western intelligence source Dahabshiil deposited $50,000.00 monthly to secret account at the banks main office in Mogadishu to support Ismail Muse. Dahabshiil also deposited $18,000.00 to the bank account of senior Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) who was recently implicated and arrested for the Daallo Airline attack.
Somaliland Intelligence Operations in Somalia
Al-Shabaab commanders believe Somaliland shapes their operations in Somalia in a powerful, surreptitious and coercive way. Somaliland intelligence is part of Amniyat operational command. Certainly, insurgent skills and capabilities at the operational and tactical level suggest the involvement of trained professional military personnel. As a former security official said: ‘they give them the plans, the strategy and new techniques. The chain goes back to Somaliland.
Al-Shabaab Sanctuary, Funding, Munitions and Supplies
Al-Shabaab has a number of sources of external support, and there is little doubt that Somaliland is increasing the arms, funding and training they provide to the insurgents. Somaliland involvement in the early stages of the insurgency has been widely acknowledged. Somaliland were operating training camps for al-Shabaab recruits, and facilitating the supply of funds, equipment and arms.
Dahabshiil the Terror Bank of Choice for al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida
Dahabshiil financial support for al-Shabaab is diverse as confirmed by western intelligence officials. Dahabshiil collects al-Shabaab funds from charitable donations, applied to businessmen or farmers, especially traffickers; ransom from kidnappings; protection money from contractors or officials. Al-Shabaab funds are deposited to Dahabshiil in Hargeisa. A selected al-Shabaab financiers and facilitators have access to the funds and they manage the group’s funding, munitions and supplies.
As al-Shabaab military commander put it: ‘we receive salary, training, weapons, ammunition and expenses from Somaliland. … Everyone knows Somaliland gives money; it goes centrally, and then flows down. Another al-Shabaab commander said: ‘Of course, it’s a huge project, the insurgency needs huge funding, IEDs [improvised explosive devices], ammunition, training, needs everything, all of this has been given by Somaliland. We do not have facilities to produce any of this.
Outlook
Somaliland will continue its terrorist-related activities, including support for al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida. Somaliland views al-Shabaab terrorism and insurgency as a crucial in its recognition strategy. The more Somalia suffers, the better chances for Somaliland becoming independent state. Somaliland has continued to generate significant concern regarding the role it plays in terrorist financing.
Dahabshiil continues to operate in vast black market and unregulated economy of Somalia. The hawala networks remained intertwined with terrorism financing, smuggling and transaction-based money laundering. This raises significant concerns that some members of the Somaliland government and the business elite were complicit in terrorist finance schemes.
The international community is working with the Somali Federal Government on sanctions to stop Somaliland support of foreign terrorist organization. The international community and the Somali government are also working on financial, military, and economic sanctions as well travel restriction and terrorist designation for Waran-Ade, Dagaxbuur, Dahabshiil and several other senior Somaliland officials, according to credible source.
Peter Wolfson & Greta Backstrom
Investigative Journalists
Nairobi, Kenya & Stockholm, Sweden
Written By Swedish Investigative Journalists Peter Wolfson & Greta Backstrom
Many accounts misapprehend the nature of the relationship between Somaliland and al-Shabaab. The relationship, in fact, goes far beyond contact and coexistence, with significant financial assistance by Somaliland’s Ministry of Interior and Intelligence Agency providing the bulk of al-Shabaab’s financing and weapons, according to sources and al-Shabaab captured leaders. Somaliland intelligence is directly funded by foreign intelligence agencies, according to reports.Somaliland Minister of Interior Ali Waran-Ade and other senior political, military, and business leaders including former ministers Mohamed Bihi Yonis, Hirsi Ali Hassan, and Suleiman Esa Ahmed as well as Colonel Muse Bihi Abdi and Abdirashid Duale, the CEO of Dahabshiil have actively financed and supported al-Shabaab as part of a strategy to undermine political and security progress in Somalia and boost support for Somaliland recognition.
Somaliland uses western economic development and security funds to finance al-Shabaab operations in Somalia. Waran-Ade, a former senior intelligence officer for the Siyad Barre’s National Security Services (NSS) directed financing and provided material support to al-Shabaab operations.
Al-Shabaab has a strong support in Somaliland, according to captured senior al-Shabaab commander and the government orchestrates, sustains as well as strongly influences the movement operations in Somalia. Somaliland also gives sanctuary to the families of senior al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida leaders, and provides support in terms of training, funding, munitions, and supplies for al-Shabaab. In their words, this is ‘as clear as the sun in the sky’.
Directly or indirectly Somaliland appears to exert significant influence on the strategic decision-making and field operations of al-Shabaab; and has greater away over operatives. According to recently defected al-Shabaab commander, Somaliland intelligence controls al-Shabaab’s counterintelligence units “Amniyat”, who are recruited from radical mosques in Hargeisa, Burco, Berbera Gabiley and Borama.
Former al-Shabaab operatives confirmed that the Somaliland Intelligence was represented on the al-Shabaab leadership council, known as the Shura, and the Security Council. Indeed, the agency appears to have circumscribed the al-Shabaab’s strategic autonomy.
Waran-Ade himself has apparently assured senior al-Shabaab leaders that they are ‘our people’ and have his backing. He has also apparently authorized al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida fighters and supporters release from Somaliland prisons, including senior al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula operative who was captured in Berbera on his way to Lower Shebelle to meet with al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Umar.
In 2012, Somaliland police detained and released al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Godane, al-Shabaab external operation leader Abdulkadir Mohamed Abdulkadir (Ikrima) and operative Ismail Muse, reportedly now head of al-Shabaab Mogadishu operations, who is one of the highest ranking in the movement below al-Shabaab Emir Ahmed Umar. The group was in Burco to meet with al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula emissaries and Dahabshiil and other al-Shabaab financiers.
Somaliland’s involvement with al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula is having a major implication for the international community. The governments of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti have all been alarmed by the Somaliland, al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida nexus. Ethiopia and Djibouti have restricted borders with Somaliland.
Diplomatic outposts and international organizations have been instructed to relocate from Hargeisa to Mogadishu and limit contacts with senior Somaliland government officials.
Somaliland Strategy
Through providing sanctuary and support to al-Shabaab, Somaliland appears to be able to exert significant influence on al-Shabaab strategy. As a Somaliland political figure summarized: ‘Somaliland has some control “over the al-Shabaab”. They have influence in al-Shabaab’s decision-making. Sure, they have dominated the movement, but al-Shabaab has some independence. Likewise, a security analyst said: ‘al-Shabaab is obliged to accept Somaliland demands – it needs their support.’
The Somaliland-al-Shabaab relationship is founded on mutual benefits. Al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida need external sanctuary, as well as military and logistical support to sustain their insurgency in Somalia and Yemen. As a former al-Shabaab operative put it: ‘Somaliland are helping al-Shabaab a lot, but they only give for their own gain. According to the conflict analyst: ‘there is not an equal relationship between Somaliland and al-Shabaab – Somaliland is far more powerful. Al-Shabaab doesn’t have any choice except to live in Somaliland; where else can they go?’
Somaliland Leadership Collusion with Foreign Terrorist Organization’s
Security experts are divided on the extent to which Somaliland policy towards al-Shabaab insurgents is determined independently of civilian officials. Somaliland officials were aware of Waran-Ade’s and Somaliland intelligence role in supporting al-Shabaab and were actively encouraging it.’
The Daallo Airlines terrorist incident in early February and the bombing of seafood restaurant in Mogadishu suggest that the policy is approved at the highest level of Somaliland government. Al-Shabaab senior operative Ismail Muse, who planned, coordinated and financed both Daallo Airline and Mogadishu seafood restaurant attacks made several trips to Hargeisa, Burco and Borama to meet with Dahabshiil and senior Somaliland intelligence officer code name “Dagaxbuur”.According to western intelligence source Dahabshiil deposited $50,000.00 monthly to secret account at the banks main office in Mogadishu to support Ismail Muse. Dahabshiil also deposited $18,000.00 to the bank account of senior Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) who was recently implicated and arrested for the Daallo Airline attack.
Somaliland Intelligence Operations in Somalia
Al-Shabaab commanders believe Somaliland shapes their operations in Somalia in a powerful, surreptitious and coercive way. Somaliland intelligence is part of Amniyat operational command. Certainly, insurgent skills and capabilities at the operational and tactical level suggest the involvement of trained professional military personnel. As a former security official said: ‘they give them the plans, the strategy and new techniques. The chain goes back to Somaliland.
Al-Shabaab Sanctuary, Funding, Munitions and Supplies
Al-Shabaab has a number of sources of external support, and there is little doubt that Somaliland is increasing the arms, funding and training they provide to the insurgents. Somaliland involvement in the early stages of the insurgency has been widely acknowledged. Somaliland were operating training camps for al-Shabaab recruits, and facilitating the supply of funds, equipment and arms.
Dahabshiil the Terror Bank of Choice for al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida
Dahabshiil financial support for al-Shabaab is diverse as confirmed by western intelligence officials. Dahabshiil collects al-Shabaab funds from charitable donations, applied to businessmen or farmers, especially traffickers; ransom from kidnappings; protection money from contractors or officials. Al-Shabaab funds are deposited to Dahabshiil in Hargeisa. A selected al-Shabaab financiers and facilitators have access to the funds and they manage the group’s funding, munitions and supplies.As al-Shabaab military commander put it: ‘we receive salary, training, weapons, ammunition and expenses from Somaliland. … Everyone knows Somaliland gives money; it goes centrally, and then flows down. Another al-Shabaab commander said: ‘Of course, it’s a huge project, the insurgency needs huge funding, IEDs [improvised explosive devices], ammunition, training, needs everything, all of this has been given by Somaliland. We do not have facilities to produce any of this.
Outlook
Somaliland will continue its terrorist-related activities, including support for al-Shabaab and al-Qa’ida. Somaliland views al-Shabaab terrorism and insurgency as a crucial in its recognition strategy. The more Somalia suffers, the better chances for Somaliland becoming independent state. Somaliland has continued to generate significant concern regarding the role it plays in terrorist financing.
Dahabshiil continues to operate in vast black market and unregulated economy of Somalia. The hawala networks remained intertwined with terrorism financing, smuggling and transaction-based money laundering. This raises significant concerns that some members of the Somaliland government and the business elite were complicit in terrorist finance schemes.The international community is working with the Somali Federal Government on sanctions to stop Somaliland support of foreign terrorist organization. The international community and the Somali government are also working on financial, military, and economic sanctions as well travel restriction and terrorist designation for Waran-Ade, Dagaxbuur, Dahabshiil and several other senior Somaliland officials, according to credible source.
Investigative Journalists
Nairobi, Kenya & Stockholm, Sweden
Thursday, December 10, 2015
RAILA IN MANDERA COUNTY TO CONSOLE WITH PEOPLE
IT’S TIME TO BID FAREWELL TO JUBILEE GOVERNMENT.
By Mohameditto De Fangudez Aliow
Courtesy of Kenya Today Online News
The previous election period was marked by series of fake promises which was deliberately aimed at deceiving citizens from Northern Kenya so much so that they vote in the incumbent government.
The hoodwinked children of lesser god unanimously said YES to jubilee government, little did they knew that they were digging their own grave.
For the Kenyan citizens with somali roots, the going got tougher long time ago. It is now viscous for that matter. The conundrum circumscribing somalis in Kenya is oodles. From the selective form of administration, connotation with the phrase “KENYAN SOMALI”, the battle to claim identity, segregation and suppression in decision making platform among others, Somalis will soon dine with the pigs.
The jubilations and celebrations minutes after inception of the regime in Northern Kenya was beyond description. We thought that we will soon say goodbye to segregations. Emanuel. But our celebrations were brought to halt. Even after years of jubilee government being in power, we never saw signs of hope. The roads were better of it was than it is.
Surprisingly, it is only the “KENYAN SOMALI” who is unsure of his own identity even when carrying the identification paraphernalia. The cop at the police check is praying day in day out to be posted to a somali based region. This begs the question, are we paying for being light-haired. Obviously that is by nature. The jubilee government has provoked our spirit of being somalis. It has suppressed our feelings. It has acted in manner that likely suggest that we are nothing but a bunch of persona-non-gratas. The candle is extinguishing. It is not going to be rekindled. Again. It is was only yesterday that residents of Mandera were flummoxed and surprised by the mass graveyard which is most likely to have been orchestrated in the name of availing security.
My words won’t suffice my feelings but the ball is in your court. The somalis need to wake up. This is the hour of need. Let the deaf hear your stand. Time will pass. Tomorrow you will stand out to cast your vote. Vote wisely.
Earlier Yesterday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has just concluded addressing thousands of Mandera county residents in Bus Park grounds, the former Prime Minister was given a super warm reception in a county where all elected leaders belong to DP Ruto’s defunct URP Party.
Prime Minister also delivered a powerful pro-devolution speech to the Mandera County Assembly. He was hosted by County governor Ali Roba and Senator Billow Kerrow Who was later Arrested With MP's Shaaban Ali Issack(Lafey), Eng MP Mohamud (Takaba) MP Abdille(Mandera Town)
Former Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Mandera County, Northern Kenya Pictures
The only university burgeoning in the region has gone to the dogs, the youths are running short of energy to line up under the scorching sun, The merciless heat of the sun landing on their forehead forming patched rings.
Ealier the former PM condoled with the six children of slain widow Isnnian Mohamed whose body was found burried in a shallow grave about 35KMs from Mandera.
Accompanying the CORD Leader were Hon Abdikadir Ore, Hon Junet Mohamed, Speaker Hon Farah Maalim alongside several other leaders from the frontier counties.
Don’t vote for your demise. Shall you, then the only thing that you learnt from history is that you learnt nothing from history. I said it yesterday and will keep on saying for umpteen times that he who puts his hands in the anus knows the very best way to remove it out.
Don’t allow to hold the shortest hand of the stick when your opponent is handicapped. Don’t walk with the tail between your legs. .
By Mohameditto De Fangudez Aliow
Courtesy of Kenya Today Online News
The previous election period was marked by series of fake promises which was deliberately aimed at deceiving citizens from Northern Kenya so much so that they vote in the incumbent government. The hoodwinked children of lesser god unanimously said YES to jubilee government, little did they knew that they were digging their own grave.
For the Kenyan citizens with somali roots, the going got tougher long time ago. It is now viscous for that matter. The conundrum circumscribing somalis in Kenya is oodles. From the selective form of administration, connotation with the phrase “KENYAN SOMALI”, the battle to claim identity, segregation and suppression in decision making platform among others, Somalis will soon dine with the pigs.
The jubilations and celebrations minutes after inception of the regime in Northern Kenya was beyond description. We thought that we will soon say goodbye to segregations. Emanuel. But our celebrations were brought to halt. Even after years of jubilee government being in power, we never saw signs of hope. The roads were better of it was than it is.
Surprisingly, it is only the “KENYAN SOMALI” who is unsure of his own identity even when carrying the identification paraphernalia. The cop at the police check is praying day in day out to be posted to a somali based region. This begs the question, are we paying for being light-haired. Obviously that is by nature. The jubilee government has provoked our spirit of being somalis. It has suppressed our feelings. It has acted in manner that likely suggest that we are nothing but a bunch of persona-non-gratas. The candle is extinguishing. It is not going to be rekindled. Again. It is was only yesterday that residents of Mandera were flummoxed and surprised by the mass graveyard which is most likely to have been orchestrated in the name of availing security. My words won’t suffice my feelings but the ball is in your court. The somalis need to wake up. This is the hour of need. Let the deaf hear your stand. Time will pass. Tomorrow you will stand out to cast your vote. Vote wisely.
Earlier Yesterday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has just concluded addressing thousands of Mandera county residents in Bus Park grounds, the former Prime Minister was given a super warm reception in a county where all elected leaders belong to DP Ruto’s defunct URP Party.
Prime Minister also delivered a powerful pro-devolution speech to the Mandera County Assembly. He was hosted by County governor Ali Roba and Senator Billow Kerrow Who was later Arrested With MP's Shaaban Ali Issack(Lafey), Eng MP Mohamud (Takaba) MP Abdille(Mandera Town)Former Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Mandera County, Northern Kenya Pictures
The only university burgeoning in the region has gone to the dogs, the youths are running short of energy to line up under the scorching sun, The merciless heat of the sun landing on their forehead forming patched rings.
Ealier the former PM condoled with the six children of slain widow Isnnian Mohamed whose body was found burried in a shallow grave about 35KMs from Mandera.
Accompanying the CORD Leader were Hon Abdikadir Ore, Hon Junet Mohamed, Speaker Hon Farah Maalim alongside several other leaders from the frontier counties.Don’t vote for your demise. Shall you, then the only thing that you learnt from history is that you learnt nothing from history. I said it yesterday and will keep on saying for umpteen times that he who puts his hands in the anus knows the very best way to remove it out.
Don’t allow to hold the shortest hand of the stick when your opponent is handicapped. Don’t walk with the tail between your legs. .
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