MP Adan Keynan seeks release of Kenyan teacher detained in Somalia

Hassan Osman Mohamed Qasim, the Kenyan teacher who is being held in Somalia’s Las'aanod, a town in the northern Sool region. (Photo: Handout)

By Abdirahman Khalif
Wednesday, August 6, 2025

The teacher, identified as Hassan Osman Qassim, originally from Wajir County, has now spent over two months in detention in Laascaanood without any formal charges being made public.

Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has revealed that he has engaged with leaders in Laascaanood, Somalia, in efforts to secure the release of a Kenyan teacher who has been detained in the region under unclear circumstances.

The teacher, identified as Hassan Osman Qassim, originally from Wajir County, has now spent over two months in detention in Laascaanood without any formal charges being made public.

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His case has raised alarm among political leaders, human rights advocates, and members of his family who claim the teacher is being held unlawfully.

“I talked to the president of the North East State of Somalia about the illegal arrest of Mwalimu Hassan Osman Qassim, who is being mistreated and subjected to repeated harassment in Laascaanood just because of bringing a competitive and thriving education business in the area,” the MP said.

The legislator further attributed the teacher’s continued detention to what he described as the absence of effective legal structures in that part of Somalia. He added that the lack of due process has made it possible for individuals to be detained without explanation.

“If there is law and order in Somalia, the teacher would not have undergone such severe punishment and injustice,” he said.

He has appealed to the President of Somalia’s Federal Government and to the leadership of the North East State to take steps to ensure the teacher’s immediate release.

Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Ali Ifiye, confirmed that Hassan was arrested without due legal process and is currently being held in poor conditions.

Ali posted on his official Facebook account that Hassan had recently been denied access to food and that his health had significantly deteriorated.

“I have been informed that he has been denied food and is currently in poor health. I urge all security agencies, local authorities, and all relevant stakeholders to take urgent action and ensure the teacher is granted his freedom,” he said.

The statement by the deputy minister has increased anxiety among Hassan’s family members, who have been demanding his release. They claim the teacher is the victim of political interference and rivalry from within the local education sector.

According to relatives, Hassan has experienced ongoing harassment and multiple arrests since he began working in Laascaanood.

Initially employed at a prominent school owned by the family of a senior Somali government official, Hassan later rose to the position of principal. Under his leadership, the school reportedly became one of the best-performing institutions in the region.

However, in October 2024, Hassan chose to leave his position and open a new school of his own. The new school attracted a significant number of students, creating competition with the institution he had previously led. His family says this decision triggered resentment from former associates.

They allege that after he declined pressure to stay at the original school, he was subjected to intimidation and threats, followed by a series of arrests by local authorities.