Somalis are Kenyans and must be respected – MP Barasa

Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa has insisted that the Somali community from the Northern region are Kenyans.

According to the legislator, they must be respected because they are not criminals.

Barasa insisted that criminals come from all communities within Kenya and therefore they should not be profiled.

“Our brothers who live in Northern Kenya, the Somali community, they are not criminals. Criminals are criminals and they are found from every community that lives in this country. You cannot profile a community that they are criminals.

“The Somali community are Kenyans who deserve to be respected,” he said.

Barasa spoke in Senende, Vihiga County. He was in the company of President Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet, Majority Leader of the National Assembly Kimani Ichung’wah, Governor Kenneth Lusaka, among other leaders.

The MPs remarks are in support of a recent directive by President William Ruto removing the extra vetting involved for persons from Northern Kenya to get IDs.

In a Presidential Proclamation dated February 5, 2025, Ruto ordered persons, bodies and authorities within Kenya mandated to issue National Identity documents to continuously review their guidelines and processes “to ensure equitable, fair and transparent procedure in identification and registration of persons.”

The President noted that residents of border counties have historically been subjected to extra requirements for vetting processes as a prerequisite for obtaining National Identity cards.

He further noted that the National Assembly, and other government offices have received numerous petitions from these communities decrying the extra requirements for the vetting process as unjust, unfair, discriminatory, and disenfranchising.

“Article 12(1)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya entitles every citizen to a Kenyan passport and any document of registration or identification issued by the State to its citizens,” the President said.

He added that Article 27(1) of the Constitution affirms that every person is equal before the law and guarantees all citizens the right to equal protection and benefit of the law, while Article 27(4) prohibits the State from discriminating, directly or indirectly, against any person on any ground, including race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language, or birth.

Ruto pointed out that the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has reviewed and piloted new guidelines for the registration and issuance of Identity cards in border counties.