For decades, Kenyan Somalis have faced extra vetting when applying for national identity cards—a right every Kenyan citizen should enjoy without unnecessary hurdles. The government’s requirement for additional vetting was ostensibly to prevent Somali nationals from fraudulently acquiring Kenyan citizenship. And to keep out al Shabab.

This policy turned an entire community into subjects of suspicion and second-class citizens in their own country.

However, this is a flawed justification. Kenyan Somalis are no different from any other Kenyan ethnic group whose members also exist beyond the country’s borders. The Luo, Luhya, and Maasai communities, for instance, extend into Uganda and Tanzania, yet their Kenyan identity is never questioned. 

The fear of al Shabaab infiltration is valid but misdirected. By imposing collective punishment on Kenyan Somalis, the state has neither curbed terrorism nor strengthened national security. If anything, such policies alienate communities that should be integral allies in counterterrorism efforts. 

Security threats can arise from any group—terrorism is not the preserve of a single ethnicity. Indeed, some of my fellow Kikuyus from Nyeri are card-carrying al-Shabab members and were involved in the Dusit D2 attacks. It must be the hangover of the Mau Mau legacy.

Anyway, President William Ruto recently removed the requirement for extra vetting, framing it as a correction of a historical injustice. 

Many Kenyans responded to the president's order with dismay. Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya memorably alleged that al Shabab will now acquire Kenyan IDs and work for Kenyan security services, including presidential security, putting the country in grave danger. 

This is a legitimate concern, and initially, I angrily agreed with Natembeya.

But after a lot of reflection, I had to acknowledge an uncomfortable truth: my initial reaction was based on prejudice, not merit. And I am not alone. Millions of Kenyans are prejudiced against Somalis as part of our internal political and tribal dynamic. It's been imprinted into our psyche that Somalia is a failed state that only produces terrorists. 

First, let's acknowledge the history. 

When Kenya was a new country, ethnic Somalis in Kenya’s North Eastern Province—who felt more aligned with Somalia—tried to secede and join Somalia. Kenya responded with war. After four years of heavy fighting, we won in 1967.

In 1984, Kenya rounded up thousands of ethnic Somali men in Wagalla, Wajir County. We tortured, starved, and executed them. We have never apologised for this and this trauma persists in the Somali community.  

In October 2011, we invaded Somalia under Operation Linda Nchi. War is hell. 

In 2014, following a spate of terrorist attacks in Nairobi and Mombasa, we launched Operation Usalama Watch, targeting Somali refugees and Kenyan Somalis. Thousands were rounded up and detained at Kasarani Stadium, where they were subjected to inhumane conditions, extortion, and racial profiling. This was widely condemned as a violation of human rights.

On January 15, 2019, Al-Shabaab gunmen stormed the Dusit D2 hotel complex in Nairobi, killing 21 people. 

So it's true, the security threat from Somalia is real and it persists.

However, Ruto is right.  Restoring the rights of Kenyan Somalis aligns with constitutional values. 

I know Ruto did it for political reasons. With everyone in Kenya right now saying Ruto must go, the president is struggling for political survival and needs all the support he can get. 

However, it's crucial to separate intent from impact. 

The Kenyan Constitution explicitly guarantees all citizens the right to a national ID, ensuring equal treatment, non-discrimination, and fair administrative action. Subjecting Kenyan Somalis to extra vetting is unconstitutional, as it denies them rights that other citizens enjoy seamlessly. 

National Security

So what do we do about al Shabab? 

Kenya has stringent citizenship laws. If they are implemented, I am not worried that lifting of vetting will lead to an influx of Somali nationals fraudulently becoming Kenyan citizens.

A competent government finds effective ways to ensure national security without violating the constitution. Law enforcement should prioritize intelligence-driven security measures rather than ethnic profiling. 

Counterterrorism efforts should focus on dismantling extremist networks, improving border security through technology, and fostering cooperation with affected communities.

Al Shabab cannot be fought with methods that violate the constitution. Instead of discriminatory practices against Somalis, the government should adopt security measures that do not violate constitutional protections. 

Africa is Integrating

Beyond Kenya’s borders, there is a broader discussion about African identity and the artificiality of colonial-era boundaries. The rigidity with which African states enforce these lines contradicts the vision of regional integration. The East African Community (EAC) framework already allows for freer movement and residency, making the fear of Somali migration even less rational.

Kenya should embrace a future where citizenship and identity are not weaponized. Ending discriminatory vetting is not just about the rights of Kenyan Somalis—it is about upholding the foundational ideals of the Kenyan nation. 

Look, it's obvious. Ruto's move is not sincere. It's a ploy to secure Somali votes in the 2027 election. That's fine. This does not negate the constitutional validity of the move. 

Let Kenyan Somalis get their IDs without unnecessary obstacles and delays. The right to equal treatment under the law is a non-negotiable principle and it's about time it applied to Somalis too.

Kenya fought hard for the freedoms we enjoy. We will not surrender them to fear or politics.