Opera News
By Zeke
Wednesday August 30, 2023
In a recent and rather intense exchange of words, the former Ambassador from the previous administration under President Uhuru Kenyatta, Macharia Kamau, found himself embroiled in a verbal duel with senior counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi. The focal point of their clash was the ongoing teachers' strikes in Mandera, where non-local teachers were demanding transfers due to the escalating insecurity orchestrated by the terrorist group Al Shabaab.
Kamau's reaction to the Mandera teachers' strikes was anything but muted. He drew a striking parallel, likening the plight of non-local teachers in the North Eastern region to a disturbing scenario of ethnic and religious cleansing.
Adding fuel to the fire, Kamau pointed out another worrying trend – an influx of migrants from North Eastern Kenya and Somalia into major urban centers like Nairobi and Mombasa. In his view, this migration wave posed a significant security threat. By highlighting this influx, Kamau underscored the complex interplay between regional instability and the potential implications for urban security. This stance hinted at the broader national security implications that extend beyond the immediate crisis in Mandera.
However, Kamau's strong statements didn't go unchallenged. Senior counsel Ahmednassir Abdullahi, known for his articulate and assertive demeanor, strongly countered Kamau's perspective. Ahmednassir dismissed Kamau's assertions and went as far to label him one of the most tribal bigots in the books of Kenya's history. This indictment underscored the intensity of their disagreement and the deeply entrenched nature of the issues being discussed.
Ahmednassir Abdullahi took the opportunity to remind Kamau of a critical historical reality. He pointed out that the Somali ethnicity has weathered even tougher challenges during various administrations in Kenya's history. By doing so, Ahmednassir sought to emphasize the enduring nature of the Somali presence within Kenya's socio-political landscape.
This charged exchange between Kamau and Ahmednassir encapsulates the complexity of the issues at hand. It reflects the deeply rooted historical, ethnic, and security-related concerns that are at play in Kenya's current social and political discourse.