WARIA AT A CROSSROADS

Currently I fear for my country's future prospects in the wake of the increased anti-Somali sentiments both by the leadership, from the very top to the lay public. I wonder whether am the one who is misreading the script and being overly sensitive and to an extent paranoid? With due apologies to the security forces, my feeling is that they are witch-hunting and victimizing Somalis both so-called Kenyan-Somalis and aliens in the country either legally or otherwise. Enforcement of law and order requires a certain dose of common sense which has been in short supply on many levels since the Operation against Somalis started. First as a war on terror groups and then  Operation to flush out illegal aliens  from the country and into refugee camps and even deportation to God knows where. When it started out in Eastleigh, not many were concerned and even a number of middle-class Somalis thought they would be immune from its consequences. Woe unto them for the naivety, for South C was the next stop and the swoops were preceded by and followed up with enough propaganda in the media that there was no way any well-meaning non-Somali would stand up and challenge the leadership lest they be termed as aiding and abetting the commission of a crime. Only a handful of strong characters have dared to question the establishment and I appreciate your efforts. When the situation is as dire as it is today for Somalis in Kenya I wonder what next?

There are three options left for the Somalis in Kenya.One,is to stay put,realize we are a subjugated minority with no worth, economically strong but faced with the great limitation of being different from the majority of the nation and accept the dictates of the majority. Any one us who questions the official line, should be hounded and whisked away not to be heard from again. A nuisance that has to be gotten rid off.

Another option is to evaluate our position in the dilemma we are faced with and come with workable solution to overcome the challenges. This would involve formation of strong lobbies led by the brightest and most intelligent visionaries in the community, if we can find any. The aim of any lobby is to ensure the government of the day is engaged on matters that affect our interests and they get to see our point of view. In all this a singular voice would be heard at all times. Where needed the elite of the community can see how to put their oversized egos in check and work together with others with divergent views so as to save this community facing dire straits. This way, any misunderstanding occasioned by implementation of any government directive can be solved amicably without creating the feeling of the overt opposition to state orders. This is partially dependent on a government willing to listen to a significant proportion of its citizens, feeling alienated and profiled for extermination. The government has to be seen to be responsive and with the best interest of all people including the Somalis at heart.

The third rather controversial option is one of migration. The Somalis are free to invest and live in anypart of the nation, but chose to heavily put their eggs in the Eastleigh basket. Maybe its time to reconsider this and instead invest in their home counties or even spread their businesses to other countries where they feel welcome, appreciated and not victimized. Any migration will be beset with losses occasioned by the disposal of assets and setting up base in new areas, but if this will save the community from the current problems, I find it to be the best option. The smart ones know, it better to quit before the lynch-mob assembles. 

We don’t have to wait for a News show Big Question on,” DO YOU THINK SOMALIS DESERVE TO BE TREATED AS HUMANS? before packing the bags.

 Maybe the elephant in the room will also be confronted while we are at it.