The Patriotic Youth of Kenya strongly condemned Hon. Farah Maalim’s divisive remarks during the inauguration of the Puntland president on January 25, 2024, expressing their embarrassment and anger.
They reject the characterization of them as manipulative pawns for chaos and call for peaceful conflict resolution.
They demand a public apology from Maalim, a Member of Parliament for Dadaab Constituency, especially those from Garissa, and an explanation of whether the statements were made on behalf of the Kenyan Government or whose authority they were made on.
Below is their full statement on the issue
PATRIOTIC YOUTH OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
Press Statement Condemning Incitement Words Made By Hon. Farah Maalim, Member Of Parliament For Dadaab Constituency
We express our gratitude to the members of the media for showing up to this very important press statement by the Patriotic Youth of the Republic of Kenya. Your presence underscores the importance we place on delivering this message to the public and ensuring that it reaches every corner of our nation and to our good neighboring countries herein mentioned.
We, the patriotic youth of this great nation (Kenya), who value our good relationships with neighboring countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, and Somaliland, among others, stand before you today, expressing our concern and strongest disapproval of the imprudent statements made by Hon. Farah Maalim, Member of Parliament for Dadaab Constituency, during the inauguration of the Puntland president on January 25, 2024.
The Honorable Farah Maalim, a public figure and employee of the Government of Kenya, stated that he is ready and willing to mobilize youth from Garissa to go to Somalia and fight Ethiopians. As patriotic youth of this nation, we are embarrassed and angered by Hon. Farah Maalim’s statements. Such remarks make us feel insecure, and, to a greater extent, we view him not as a responsible statesman but as an agent provocateur who is wielding incitement as a tool and appearing to function as a recruitment agent for militia groups. This act diminishes the principles of diplomacy, decorum, and responsible governance that Kenya is known for all over.
While the youth are vulnerable and considered manipulable pawns for chaos and serving certain people’s personal interests, we categorically reject such characterizations, as portrayed by Hon. Farah. We, the youth, believe in peaceful conflict resolution in cases of disagreement, whether between individuals or states. We expect all our leaders to protect and provide meaningful solutions to ensure youth are more socio-economically empowered.
We remind Hon. Farah to stick to his constitutional role as a Member of Parliament of Kenya and ensure adequate and efficient service delivery. The era of mobilizing youth to cause chaos within or outside Kenya is no longer existing within us. We believe in unity, love, and peaceful coexistence within and outside Kenya.
In light of the above, we demand the following:
1. Hon. Farah Maalim to publicly apologize to the youth of Kenya, especially those from Garissa, Kenya as a nation, Ethiopia, Somaliland, and Somalia, for making such inciteful and undiplomatic statements.
2. An explanation from Hon. Farah Maalim to the Republic of Kenya if such statements were made on behalf of the Kenyan Government or on whose behalf or authority.
We believe that adherence to these demands will help restore trust in the leadership and prevent the escalation of tensions that may arise from such irresponsible statements.
