Kerrows article on Somalis harassment was biased
Posted by African Press International on February 22, 2010
I read former Mandera Central MP Billow Kerrows article Crackdown on Somalis irrational in last weeks edition of The Standard on Sunday keenly and found his claims improper.
Several suspected illegal immigrants from Mozambique, DRC, Somalia, Ethiopia and other countries were also arrested in the crackdown. Do these people share a language or ethnic background? Kerrows claim that the Somalis are being harassed does not hold water.
He is either inciting our good Muslim brothers against the Government or he is simply using the issue to appear relevant to the people of Mandera Central ahead of 2012 General Election.
Concerned Kenyan, Nairobi.
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Kerrow must understand the crackdown is as a result of threatened national security following a demonstration that drew condemnation by most human rights activists, media, civil society and general public, including some Muslim clerics. Besides, there have been a dozen protests by Muslims in the past and none was condemned thus.
Nyakiti S C, Oyugis.
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Kerrows article was good. It captured very well the double standards of the Government and the extremes it goes to please its masters in the US and allies. Police harassment of Somalis should stop immediately.
I witnessed the arbitrary arrest of Somalis in Eastleigh. It was uncivilised and left much to be desired. Religious and ethnic profiling has not and should not be an issue.
Osman Sheikh, Mandera North.
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Such Government-sanctioned swoops remind us of the past injustices it committed to the community, especially during the Shifta war of 1960s to 1980s and the Wagalla massacre of 1984 where many Somalis were detained, raped and killed. It was a bitter experience that should not be repeated. It makes us feel marginalised.
Simba Guleid, Nairobi.
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If indeed there are illegal Somali immigrants in Nairobi, Nakuru and Migori as claimed, they should be flushed out. They should not run away from realities in their homeland to hide in Kenya. They should try to solve their problems alone.
Baruck Opiyo, Turkey.
source.standard.ke
