The Somali and Muslim community will never forgive Duale if draconian bill on security is passed

By Mohamed Hillow–
The Garissa Township MP is well known for his eloquence and aggressiveness as far as the Kenyan politics is concerned. He has been the darling of majority in his home area during his first term in parliament. He earned that through the establishment of CDF-funded projects that many have termed as development projects.

Majority Leader Adan Barre Duale

The constituents were at first overwhelmed by these gestures because the man “outsmarted” his predecessor—Hussein Maendeleo—whose successive terms in parliament have nothing tangible to be attributed to.

The legislature has since been, just like any other Kenyan politicians, actively participating in the national discourse. He is currently the third powerful man in the Jubilee administration, as many would prefer to call him. Given that, one would expect him to use the associated privileges to cushion his people from the Government’s “threats”. I was recently shocked to learn that he spearheads the team pushing for the Security Laws (amendments) Bill 2014! He eloquently advocates for what experienced lawyers and constitutional experts refer to as Draconian laws—a piece of legislation that will drag the nation backwards.

I really feel sorry for the people of Northern Kenya who supported and voted for the ruling Government. Isn’t it ironic that the very people you empowered are set to use their might against you? The Jubillee government is apparently fighting Muslims and the Somali community. We’ve recently witnessed the gruesome killings of Muslim clerics at the coastal region. The hurriedly drafted contentious bill is generally not good for the country as it will undermine the fundamental rights and freedoms of the average citizen.
Dualle want us to believe that the bill seeks to amend some sections of the constitution which are meant to empower security agencies in order to effectively fight terrorism. This is where the famous cliché–read between the lines–highly applies. Considering the history of Northern Kenya, there has been a great deal of atrocities committed in the region largely by Moi and Kenyatta governments. The memories of such incidents will leave many crying in pain! The Wagalla massacre is one of the worst incidents ever recorded in the region. The most recent was in Garissa where property worth millions of shillings was reduced to ashes. The heinous act was perpetrated by the Kenya Defense Forces. Does Dualle really have such incidents in mind when he fuels a move to introduce laws that turn the same government into a dictatorial regime?

Like the US and other Western countries, Kenya too has proved that the real definition of a terrorist is the average practicing Muslim. A recent Aljazeera investigative documentary has unearthed the bitter truth a lot of Kenyan Muslims have known. The bill, if it becomes a law, will see many innocent Muslims branded terrorists and unreasonably detained. With such barbaric provisions in the constitution, who will deny that there will be rampant extrajudicial killings of Muslims?
If Dualle don’t care a lot about the likely backlash the draconian law will have on his community, did the amendments on the registration of persons Act fail to stir some sense in him? These amendments give the Principal Registrar of persons the authority to revoke the citizenship of Kenyans! You can wake up one fine morning and find yourself a foreigner in the country you always believed you belonged to. Anyone with complete sanity will understand that such amendments target only a specific group; Muslims and Somalis! Where else in Kenya do you think will such laws apply bearing in mind the fact that the people of Northern Kenya have been consistently treated second rate citizens by successive governments?

We understand African politics is mainly characterised by greed and selfishness. But one should be very keen not to be used by the greedy as a weapon against the very people they represent. That would be an indicator of irresponsibility in its highest levels. I think it is high time Dualle identified his enemies guised as close friends! Responsibility always comes with accountability. Not just to the voters but also to Creator of the universe. I urge Dualle to change and put his people’s interests before his.