Lobby championing rights of Nubians hope new Interior chief will solve their woes
By Barack Oduor |
Nubian Rights Forum Executive Director said past holders of the office have not helped them solve the matter of discrimination Nubians are facing while seeking national identity cards and passports.
A human rights lobby championing the rights and welfare of the Nubian community on Saturday exuded hope that the yet-to-be-appointed Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government will solve their problems.
The docket was left vacant after its holder, Prof. Kithure Kindiki was nominated and approved as the Deputy President to replace Rigathi Gachagua who had been impeached by Parliament.
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Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi was directed by President William Ruto to hold the Interior docket temporarily.
Nubian Rights Forum Executive Director Shaffie Hussein said past holders of the office have not helped them solve the matter of discrimination Nubians are facing while seeking national identity cards and passports.
"We have had no meaningful help in solving open discrimination Kenyans of Nubian descent are facing when acquiring national identification documents and passports. Past holders of the office have not helped us despite our plea," claimed Hussein.
In his explanation, their attempt to have the matter resolved at the sub-county level has not borne any fruit since the directive to have Nubians treated differently comes from higher offices.
"Officers at the sub-county offices already know the fate of Nubians in need of national identification cards. I believe they know that the stumbling block is the top officials of the Interior docket," said Hussein.
Currently, the organisation is mulling the idea of taking the government of Britain to court following injustices committed against Nubians during and after Kenya's independence.
Hussein claims that the suffering of the Nubian community is historical, and that is the reason why they are contemplating suing the British.
"We had lost hope in getting assistance from the government. We have therefore been thinking of taking the government of Britain to court."
The lobby has been advocating for the rights of Nubians who mostly live in Kibra in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
Recently, Hussein who attended a forum hosted by Julius Bitok, the Principal Secretary, the State Department for Citizen Services, with representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), religious leaders, the private sector, youth and other special groups, said the government should walk the talk on its promises.
"We want the government to treat all Kenyans the same and not use different parameters or thresholds while issuing national identification cards," pleaded Hussein.
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