by Cabdikariin Cabdullahi
Sunday, November 21, 2010
With shock and disbelieve have I read the news about the killing of an innocent Somali shop keeper in Eastleight Nairobi, it is not the first time a murder takes place in this part of Nairobi but every time that this happens it is heartbreaking and my thought are with family, friends of victim.
The targeting of Somali shop keepers by ruthless gangs was previously known to be happening in South Africa, - much of these killings never made it to the news - the authorities in South Africa did do little or nothing to investigate the killings of innocent Somalis and the perpetrators where never caught and brought to justice.
Now it looks like the trend has moved to Kenya with the killing of two security guards a few months ago, another shop keeper was also killed and now this recent one, all this happening within the space of six months. The authorities have done nothing so far to investigate, the first responding officers usually arrive at the murder scene after half hour – with rifles – they will only help to disperse the crowd, they don’t search the area and don’t interview the witnesses there is no forensic team that arrives at the scene,
so the diseased would be taken for burial and the two police officers disappear within few hours the crime scene looks like a place that never witnessed a crime. Due the lack of proper investigation and interest from the authorities has these killings gone unnoticed there is not a single case that has landed on the prosecution desk let alone someone being convicted.
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Eastleigh's main street
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Although the killings and lack of interest from the authorities to investigate are something that Kenya and South Africa have got in common, Kenya is different from South Africa. The largest Somali community either refugee or wealth ones live in Kenya, you have also got Somali Kenyans (North Eastern Province). For two decades Somalis have settled the deprived areas of Nairobi especially Eastleight they have boosted the local economy, created businesses and employ more Kenyans than any other community in Kenya. In return the local authority has abandoned Eastleight, the worst roads in Nairobi, the rubbish piling up on the side of the streets and making some roads impassable. At dark some areas a none go area due the high risk of being robbed.
Unfortunately this social deprivation attracts more crime and hostility towards this community; it is time the Kenyan government and the local authority to take their responsibility and ensure the safety of these people and provide the basic service that one expects from the authority.
Cabdikariin Cabdullahi
England UK
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