NAIROBI — Kenyan-Somali politician Farah Maalim has spoken about the political influence and future prospects of the Somali community in Kenya, arguing that Somalis are an established part of the country and should not be viewed as outsiders.
Maalim said he believes the Somali community could eventually produce a Kenyan president or prime minister, while emphasizing that Somalis in Kenya continue to hold a strong social and political position.
“Sooner or later, we will become president or prime minister of Kenya as Somalis. Our dignity remains high, and we are not treated as strangers.”
Maalim also rejected the idea that Somalis are guests in Kenya, describing the relationship between Somali communities and the Kenyan state as one rooted in shared citizenship and historical ties.
“Somalis can make people feel at home in Kenya, but Somalis cannot be made to feel like guests. These are regions that were brought together; we are part of the same company. No one is a guest of another.”
His remarks highlight the growing political discussion surrounding the role of Kenya’s Somali population, particularly in the northeastern counties, where Somali communities form a significant part of the population.
The comments also reflect broader debates over political representation, national identity and the participation of minority communities in Kenya’s highest offices.
Maalim, a former Kenyan deputy speaker of parliament and prominent political figure, has previously been outspoken on issues affecting Kenya’s Somali community and the wider Horn of Africa.
His comments about a future Somali president or prime minister are political aspirations rather than a confirmed political outcome, with Kenya’s highest offices ultimately determined by constitutional requirements, elections and political alliances.
