By Dickens Luvanda
Monday, June 6, 2016
The former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called on the Jubilee government not to discriminate against Kenyans of Somali origin, but treat them as patriotic Kenyan citizens.
He noted, just like any other Kenyan, those of Somali origin are entitled to quality government services, leadership, education, medication among other important services indiscriminate, as the Constitution stipulates.
This follows reports by human rights bodies such as the Human Rights Watch, that the police targets Kenyans of Somali ethnicity especially during operations to flush out suspected terrorists, particularly in Eastleigh Nairobi, Mombasa and the entire Coastal region and the Northern part of the country. One of the survey reports by the institution indicates that the police brutalise Kenyans of Somali ethnicity and at times, kill them innocently, in the name of enhancing the country's security by fighting terrorism.
''We reiterate our tough stance against the discrimination of Kenyans of Somali ethnicity and call upon the authorities to render public service to all without discrimination," said Raila on Saturday.
Speaking when he toured Garissa County in Northern Kenya accompanied by Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho among other Cord officials, the Cord leader hailed the government for reopening Garissa University College after it was closed following a terrorist attack in April 2014. He said its reopening has made locals within the institution and the entire region to have hopes for a better tomorrow even after close to 148 lives were lost in the deadly attack, students being the mostly targeted.
Raila also held consultative meetings with area leaders and further held a public rally in Garissa Township, according to a communication from the former Prime Minister.
"I am pleased to note that Garissa University re-opened and the community is making strides towards resuming normal life despite this dark stain on its history," said Raila.