By Ibrahim Jaafar Olum
Kenyans, especially Muslims, have demanded that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta should fire the country’s Education Cabinet Minister (CS) Professor George Magoha over the recent bigotry, islamophobic and derogatory remarks he made while addressing a female Muslim Journalist.
Prof. Magoha reservedly asked the journalist where she is from and who is she representing “….Because if you are representing Al-Shabaab I will not answer you,” said Magoha in a video that went viral across social media in Kenya.
Following these sentiments, the Deputy Imam at the Jamia Mosque in Nairobi, Sheikh Jamaludin Osman condemned the utterances and called upon the concerned authorities to take immediate action against the CS.
“Just because the Journalist was a Muslim and wore Hijab , the CS of Education labeled her as Al-Shabaab,” stated Sheikh Jamaludin.
“We are calling upon the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take immediate action against the CS, the Media Council of Kenya to take it up and President Uhuru Kenyatta to sack the CS,” Said Sheikh Jamaludin.
Many of the a section of Muslim scholars, leaders, political leaders and ordinary people are among those who say the CS must apologize and resign before he is fired buy president Kenyatta.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) wants CS for Education to step aside from his ministerial post, describing the remarks as ignorant and irresponsible.
“We as the Muslim leaders in Kenya are saddened by the remarks where Education CS Prof. Magoha is seen profiling a female journalist because of her Muslim outfit and seeming questioning whether she represents the Al-Shabaab terror group,” said SUPKEM.
Former majority leader in the Kenyan Parliament and Member of Parliament representing Garisa Township, North Eastern Kenya, Hon. Adan Duale said CS Magoha’s comments are not a good look for Kenya and demanded for apology and resignation of the CS. He said it’s disappointing to hear such utterances from the CS.
However, Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ensure the Cabinet Secretary issues an unconditional apology and withdraws the unfortunate remarks.
“The Council is disturbed that such comments by a senior government official can expose members of the Fourth Estate to unnecessary harassment, ridicule and victimization in the line of duty,” said David Omwoyo, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Council.
On the other hand, Kenyan MP representing a Muslim minority constituency of Rarieda, Siaya County in Central Nyanza region Dr. Otiende Amollo has condemned the divisional politics in the country.
Dr. Amollo was addressing the people in his constituency after witnessing West Asembo Jamia Mosque vandalized by the alleged hooligans hired by his opponent on account that the Muslim community worshiping at the Mosque are his supporters. He promised to renovate the vandalized Mosque.
“The Mosque will be renovated forthwith. I strongly condemn divisive politics transacted against religious groups or clans and urge our supporters to uphold peace always,” said the MP.
New York Parrot