Farah Maalim
{{Short description|Kenyan politician}}
{{Use Kenyan English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Farah Maalim Mohamed
فارح معلم محمد
| image = File:Faaraxsave.jpg
| image size =
| birth_date = 1956
| term_start = 9 August 2022
| office2 = Member of Parliament for Lagdera Constituency
| predecessor2 = Slan Ahmed Nuno
| successor2 = Mohamed Shidiye
| party = Wiper Democratic Movement
| office = Member of Parliament for Dadaab Constituency
| office1 = Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya
| termstart1 = 15 January 2008
| termend1 = 14 January 2013
| predecessor = Mohamed Duale
| predecessor1 = David Musila
| successor1 = Joyce Laboso
| termstart2 = 29 December 1992
| termend2 = 29 December 1997
| Term end 3 =
| Term Start 3 =
}}
Farah Maalim Mohamed ({{langx|so|Faarax Maaliim Maxamed}}, Arabic: فارح معلم محمد) is a Kenyan, Veteran Politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Lagdera Constituency from 29 December 1992 to 29 December 1997 and then from 27 December 2007 to 4 March 2013. He's currently serving as the Member of Parliament for Dadaab Constituency since 9 August 2022 and a Member of the Speaker's Panel.{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Astariko|title=Farah Maalim makes comeback after 10 years in political oblivion |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2022-08-11-farah-maalim-makes-comeback-after-10-years-in-political-oblivion/ |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}} He also served as the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya from 15 January 2008 to 14 January 2013. He is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.[http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/05/06/on-somalis-in-the-new-kenyan-cabinet-and-a-wedding-poem/ On Somalis in the new Kenyan cabinet]
Biography
Farah Maalim belongs to the Aulihan clan of the Somali ethnic.{{cite news|last1=Sugow|first1=Abdikadir|title=Youth overlooked as big guns angle for race |url=http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000061384&story_title=youth-overlooked-as-big-guns-angle-for-race&pageNo=1|accessdate=10 June 2014|agency=Standard Digital|date=8 July 2012}} He was educated at Maseno School, and he studied for an MA in Development Studies and studied law at the University of Nairobi, before enrolling to the Kenya School of Law for the statutory post graduate law course that is a prerequisite to admission to the Kenyan roll of advocates.{{cite web |url=http://www.masenoschool.sc.ke/content.php?pid=35 |title=Maseno Old Boys |publisher=Maseno School |date= |accessdate=2011-08-04 |archive-date=2012-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306055647/http://www.masenoschool.sc.ke/content.php?pid=35 |url-status=dead }} He is a former member {{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=Wiper kicks out Farah Maalim as NCIC summons him over remarks on anti-Ruto demos |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/wiper-kicks-out-farah-maalim-as-ncic-summons-him-over-remarks-on-anti-ruto-demos-4685914 |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=Nation |language=en}} [https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/wiper-kicks-out-farah-maalim-as-ncic-summons-him-over-remarks-on-anti-ruto-demos-4685914] of Wiper Democratic Movement political party in Kenya, and was elected to represent the Lagdera Constituency in the National Assembly of Kenya in the 10th Kenyan Parliament.[http://www.bunge.go.ke/members.php Members Of The 10th Parliament] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616160507/http://www.bunge.go.ke/members.php |date=June 16, 2008 }}. Parliament of Kenya. Accessed June 19, 2008. He had previously served in the 7th Kenyan Parliament.
In November 2012, Maalim led a group of MPs, which accused Kenyan soldiers of fomenting violence and using undue force during a security operation in Garissa. The legislators threatened to take the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if the perpetrators were not brought to justice.{{cite news |title=Woman killed, 10 injured in Garissa swoop |url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-96560/woman-killed-10-injured-garissa-swoop |accessdate=21 November 2012 |newspaper=The Star |date=21 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128023359/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-96560/woman-killed-10-injured-garissa-swoop |archivedate=28 November 2012 }}{{cite news|last=Wafula|first=Caroline|title=MPs accuse State of using undue force|url=http://www.nation.co.ke/News/politics/MPs-accuse-State-of-using-undue-force/-/1064/1625062/-/uc0i5vz/-/index.html|accessdate=21 November 2012|newspaper=Daily Nation|date=20 November 2012}} Maalim also claimed that the deployment of the soldiers was unconstitutional and had not received the requisite parliamentary approval, and that the ensuing rampage cost Garissa entrepreneurs over Sh1.5 billion to Sh2billion in missed revenue.
In the 2013 elections, Maalim contested for the Garissa County Senate seat, but lost to Yusuf Haji.
In the 2022 elections, Maalim was elected Wiper MP for Dadaab with a landslide win against Abdikheir Abdullahi Dubow who was backed by then the immediate MP Hon. Mohamed Dahir Duale.{{Cite web |first=Stephen |last=Astariko|title=Farah Maalim makes comeback after 10 years in political oblivion |url=https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2022-08-11-farah-maalim-makes-comeback-after-10-years-in-political-oblivion/ |access-date=2022-08-18 |website=The Star |language=en-KE}}
Controversies
= Fights with Kenyan Gen-Z's =
== Killing of 5000 Gen-Z's Remarks ==
Since becoming more closely aligned with President William Ruto's administration, Farah Maalim, the Member of Parliament for Dadaab, has been embroiled in several controversies, particularly involving conflicts with Kenya's younger generation, often referred to as "Gen-Z." One of the most heated controversies arose when Maalim made inflammatory remarks about the youth-led protests against the Finance Bill 2024. In a video that went viral, he allegedly stated that if he were president, he would have "slaughtered{{Cite web |date=2024-07-09 |title=Uproar after MP Farah Maalim says he would have 'slaughtered 5,000 Gen Z protesters daily if I was president' |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/uproar-after-mp-farah-maalim-says-he-would-have-slaughtered-5000-gen-z-protesters-daily-if-i-was-president-n345491 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}}" 5,000 Gen-Z protesters daily, criticizing their participation in what he described as an attempted coup against the government. This statement led to widespread public outcry, with many Kenyans on social media calling for his arrest and prosecution, and some even suggesting they might take law enforcement into their own hands if official action was not taken.
The backlash was immediate and intense; Maalim was summoned{{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=NCIC summons MP Farah Maalim over inflammatory remarks on Gen Z protesters |url=https://www.citizen.digital/news/ncic-summons-mp-farah-maalim-over-inflammatory-remarks-on-gen-z-protesters-n345594 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}} by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to explain his statements, which were seen as inciting violence and discrimination. He defended himself by claiming the video was edited and manipulated to misrepresent his words, suggesting that political opponents from Somalia might have been behind the alteration. Despite this defense, the NCIC pursued the investigation,{{Cite web |last=PURITY |first=WANGECHI |date=2024-07-10 |title=NCIC summons Maalim amid rage over remarks on 'treasonous' protest |url=https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2024/07/ncic-summons-maalim-amid-rage-over-remarks-on-treasonous-protest/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Capital News |language=en-US}} indicating the severity with which his comments were taken.
Maalim's remarks also led to professional repercussions. He was expelled{{Cite web |date=2024-07-10 |title=Wiper kicks out Farah Maalim as NCIC summons him over remarks on anti-Ruto demos |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/wiper-kicks-out-farah-maalim-as-ncic-summons-him-over-remarks-on-anti-ruto-demos-4685914 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Nation |language=en}} from the Wiper Democratic Movement-Kenya, where he served as the Deputy Party Leader, due to his failure to uphold the party's ideals following his controversial statements. This expulsion was accompanied by a call from the party's National Executive Council for his removal from all parliamentary leadership roles, including his position on the Speaker's panel.
The controversy did not end there. Maalim faced social consequences as well; he was publicly shunned, including an incident where he was asked to leave a luxury hotel{{Cite web |date=2024-07-13 |title=MP Farah Maalim kicked out of top Mombasa hotel over 'slaughter Gen Zs' statement |url=https://citizen.digital/news/mp-farah-maalim-kicked-out-of-top-mombasa-hotel-over-slaughter-gen-zs-statement-n345770 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Citizen Digital |language=en-KE}} in Mombasa due to public pressure following his remarks. The hotel management explicitly stated they did not condone his inflammatory statements, further highlighting the social and economic fallout from his comments.
These events have painted Maalim as a divisive figure, particularly among the youth demographic, which has been increasingly vocal about political accountability and governance in Kenya. His alignment with Ruto's regime has brought him under scrutiny, with many viewing his statements as out of touch with the democratic and peaceful principles championed by the younger generation.
== Insulting youth ==
On January 10, 2025, Farah Maalim, the Member of Parliament for Dadaab, ignited another controversy with his offensive comments targeting Kenyan youth during a political rally in the Rift Valley alongside President William Ruto. In his speech,{{Cite web |last=Malowa |first=Didacus |date=2025-01-11 |title="Hawa ndio wanataka waheshimiwe": Fury as Farah insults Kenyans criticising Ruto |url=https://www.tuko.co.ke/politics/574990-uproar-farah-maalim-abuses-rutos-critics-vows-ensure-elections-embarrassed/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. |language=en}} Maalim stated, "Kumanina zenu wale wanasema hivo, kwani amekaa kwa kiti ya mamako ama babako?" which translates to "Your mothers' vaginas to those saying that, is he (President Ruto) sitting on your mother's or father's chair?" This remark was directed at young protesters who have been critical of government policies, particularly the Finance Bill.
The phrase "kumanina zenu" is a vulgar insult in Swahili, explicitly referring to the private parts of the mothers of those he is addressing in a derogatory manner. By suggesting that someone has sat on "your mother's chair," Maalim implies a disrespectful and intimate violation, further intensifying the insult.
The outrage following Maalim's comments was swift and widespread on social media, with many Kenyans condemning his choice of words as unbecoming of a parliamentarian. The youth, who have been actively engaging in political discourse and demanding accountability, felt particularly insulted by the remarks, seeing them as an attack not only on their activism but also on their families' honor.
This incident has highlighted the significant divide between Maalim and the younger generation, drawing criticism from various quarters, including civil society groups and political analysts, who argue that such language is counterproductive to fostering a healthy political dialogue. Calls for Maalim to apologize have been loud, with some suggesting that his remarks warrant disciplinary action from his party or parliamentary ethics committee.
== Government's Stance on Youth Discipline During Farah Maalim's Controversial Remarks ==
On January 10, 2025, during the same political rally in the Rift Valley where Farah Maalim made his controversial remarks about Kenyan youth, President William Ruto addressed the topic of youth discipline. Ruto emphasized the importance of instilling discipline in the younger generation, indicating that it is essential for the nation's development and peace. He stated, "We must instill discipline in our youth. It is crucial for them to understand that we can only build our nation together with respect, responsibility, and politeness." His comments were made in the context of recent youth protests, suggesting that while the right to protest is fundamental, it should be exercised with respect for law and order.
Ruto's call for discipline was intended to foster a culture of responsibility among the youth but was notably overshadowed by Maalim's vulgar language. While Ruto's speech aimed at promoting a constructive dialogue on youth engagement in politics, Maalim's remarks appeared to contradict this message, leading to widespread criticism. Some observers noted the irony of discussing youth discipline when public figures associated with the government use offensive language towards the very demographic they are addressing.
The juxtaposition of these events has fueled debate about the sincerity and consistency of the government's approach to youth issues. Critics argue that the government's failure to immediately condemn or distance itself from Maalim's remarks undermines its message on discipline and respect. This incident has thus highlighted the complex dynamics between political rhetoric, youth activism, and the government's role in setting a tone for national discourse.