Friday July 12, 2024
FILE - Farah Maalim, Member of Parliament for Dadaab, speaks to the press outside the courthouse on August 21, 2018, after filing a petition challenging the election of Garissa Township MP Aden Duale. (Photo courtesy of Law and Power Kenya / Kenyans.co.ke)
NAIROBI, Kenya (HOL) — Farah Maalim, the Member of Parliament for Dadaab, has been de-whipped from the Wiper Democratic Movement following his controversial remarks about the handling of Gen Z protesters. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) summoned Maalim to address his statements, which have sparked widespread public outcry.
The Wiper Party's National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to de-whip Maalim from all committees in Parliament, including the Speaker's Panel. "NEC's decision is that the Hon Farah Maalim be de-whipped from all Committees in Parliament, including the Speaker's Panel," read part of the statement. Additionally, the NEC recommended Maalim's expulsion from the party to the National Delegates Convention (NDC), the supreme organ of the party. "NEC also recommends expulsion from the Party to the National Delegates Convention (NDC) – the supreme organ of the party."
Maalim's remarks, captured in a viral video, suggested that if he were president, he would have slaughtered 5000 Gen Z protesters daily. "If I were the president, I would have slaughtered 5000 of them daily," he said, referring to the youth protesters. These comments were made in the context of ongoing protests against President William Ruto's government and its policies, particularly the Finance Bill 2024. The video quickly drew backlash, prompting Maalim to clarify that his words were taken out of context and edited to misrepresent his intent. "It's all editing, cutting and pasting, and taking a word from here and there putting words together. It's basically a lot of nonsense," Maalim defended himself.
The NCIC took Maalim's remarks seriously and summoned him to explain his statements. However, Maalim failed to appear before the NCIC on the scheduled date of July 11. The NCIC emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "Hon. Farah Maalim is required to appear before the Commission to assist with the aforementioned ongoing investigations. Failure to appear in person at the said place, date, and time is an offence as provided under Section 63 (c) as read with Section 63 (e) of the NCI Act."
Opposition leaders have used this incident to criticize the government's handling of youth protests. "If the Finance Bill sails through Parliament without amendments in areas that directly affect Kenyans, then the opposition will engage with their supporters and resume demonstrations," warned Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
The incident is not the first time Maalim has been involved in controversy. He previously faced accusations of inciting violence in the disputed Las Anod region of Somaliland.