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ODPP orders probe after pastor's remarks spark furore over xenophobia against Somalis

Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga at a past function. (Photo: ODPP)

By Hanifa Adan and Barack Oduor | Saturday, June 8, 2024

An unidentified pastor is captured issuing remarks about Somalis in Kenya, which several leaders from the community have described as hateful, baseless, and reminiscent of historical propagand used to marginalise communities.

The ODPP has ordered an investigation into two videos on social media that it notes could "incite ethnic contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, or discrimination among Kenyans."

In one of the videos, an unidentified pastor is captured issuing remarks about Somalis in Kenya, which several leaders from the community have described as hateful, baseless, and reminiscent of historical propaganda used to marginalise communities.

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In his reaction to the video, Wajir South MP Mohammed Adow termed it a disturbing example of dehumanisation and called for intervention to prevent the spread of divisive rhetoric.

"The narratives being spun here are not just baseless but also dangerously reminiscent of the propaganda tactics that preceded some of the darkest chapters in human history."

Mursal Khalif, a member of Somalia's federal parliament, expressed concern about escalating xenophobic rhetoric targeting Somalis in Kenya, noting it is now propagated from the pulpit.

Via the X social media platform, Mursal called for government and community leaders to intervene to prevent violence.

Prevalence of xenophobic tirades targeting Somali-Kenyans at a level of being preached from the pulpit now.

Government/Community leaders must intervene before impressionable individuals act on hateful speeches.

⁦@MPyusufhassan⁩ ⁦@Moadow⁩ ⁦@FarahMaalimM⁩ pic.twitter.com/nCLH7cbaWy
— Mursal M Khaliif (@MPMursalKhaliif) June 7, 2024

Former Isiolo Governor Mohammed Guleid said that inflammatory remarks about the Somali community, by prominent figures from certain regions of the country, were worrisome.

"In the Middle Ages, pogroms and the Inquisition against Jews in both Western and Eastern Europe began in a similar manner. When religious leaders can openly preach such bigotry, it's easy to imagine what occurs behind the scenes and in social settings. The Somali community is an integral part of this nation."

Former Isiolo Deputy Governor Abdi Issa urged an investigation into the church, saying "this is hate speech profiling the Somali community, which should not be entertained in a modern democracy," while Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi questioned the shift in the focus of some churches from preaching the gospel to targeting Somali traders and shopkeepers in Eastleigh.

Ahmednasir wrote on X, "Why have some churches stopped preaching the gospel and instead yap about Somali traders, hawkers, and shopkeepers in Eastleigh? What happened to Jesus's teaching [sic]?"

In its statement on the matter, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) "to expeditiously carry out investigations and forward the resultant inquiry files for perusal and advice."

In the statement shared via its X page, the ODPP cited Article 157(4) of the Constitution, which states, " The Director of Public Prosecutions shall have the power to direct the Inspector-General of the National Police Service to investigate any information or allegation of criminal conduct, and the Inspector-General shall comply with any such direction."