Kwale: Minority communities in the coastal county of Kwale are calling for greater recognition with demands for inclusion in political appointments, equitable resource distribution, and protection of their rights.
According to Kenya News Agency, the minorities have endured decades of historical injustices and marginalization, citing their exclusion from national and county government appointments.
Ethnic minorities are distinct communities within the population that are numerically smaller and socially, politically, and economically disadvantaged compared to dominant communities. The protection and inclusion of ethnic minorities and marginalized communities are recognized globally as essential for achieving equitable development, social justice, and sustainable peace.
Minority communities living in Kwale include the Makonde, Washirazi, Wapemba, Rundi, Tswaka, and Wavumba, with a notable presence in Msambweni and Lunga Lunga constituencies. Many, like the Makonde and the Pemba, were recently granted citizenship and offered identity cards, ending decades of statelessness.
The minority groups spoke at Mvindeni social hall in Msambweni constituency during a public participation forum on the National Draft Policy on Ethnic Minorities and Marginalised Communities in Kenya. They advocated for greater unity and tolerance among all ethnic groups, recognizing that no ethnic group is superior to another.
The countywide forums are spearheaded by the Minorities and Marginalised Affairs Unit (MMAU) under the Executive Office of the President. The team, led by George Tarus, an attorney in the Executive Office of The President, received petitions and memoranda from the public on various issues highlighted in the bill and policy.
Tarus emphasized that every voice, especially from minority and marginalized communities, is shaping Kenya's promise of inclusion. He highlighted that the 2010 constitution marked a turning point by affirming the rights of all citizens and recognizing the need to protect and empower minority and marginalized communities.
The minority communities want Kenyans to acknowledge that they are equal stakeholders in Kenya and call for an end to alleged ethnic bias in public appointments. Thomas Nguli, chairman of the Makonde community, expressed concern that minorities in the coastal region are still perceived as aliens, despite their transition from statelessness to citizenship.
Nguli welcomed national government efforts to integrate minorities into mainstream society and underscored the need for minorities to maintain their cultural identity and control over their communal lands, heritage, and resources. He was instrumental in the fight for citizenship for the Makonde, which was granted in 2017, ending decades of statelessness for the community.
Ibrahim Ahmed of Ustawi Imara Africa, a human rights organization, stated that minorities should be given room for participation as equal partners in the devolved system of governance. He highlighted ongoing discrimination in public appointments, despite being equal partners in governance.
A human rights activist, Mwanajuma Mohamed, noted that minority communities face assimilation pressures, including the loss of cultural and linguistic identity through discriminatory practices. She emphasized the need for minorities to contribute to national development efforts.
Shaame Hamisi, chairman of the Pemba community, noted that minorities want to benefit equally from the devolved system of governance. He praised the government's efforts to resolve the statelessness situation of many minority communities in Kenya, including the Pemba, Makonde, Shona, and Nubians.
The Pemba community, a 7,000-strong group living in Kwale and Kilifi counties, was officially recognized as an ethnic community and granted citizenship in 2023. Despite this major step, community members still face challenges in the registration process and continue to fight for official documentation and ancestral land rights.