Fear, History and the Somali Question: Unpacking Kenya’s Uneasy Debate

How anxiety over a growing Somali community collides with a long, largely erased history Public unease over the growth of the Somali community in Kenya has resurfaced in recent days, framed in some quarters as a demographic and political threat. The question has been raised bluntly: Is the expanding Somali presence in Kenya – and globally – something other communities should fear? The latest round of controversy was sparked when a cleric warned Kenyans to be wary of the “implosion” in the size and influence of Somali…

North Western State of Somalia President Irro Appeals for Calm After Deadly Boorama Unrest

HARGEISA, Somalia — North Western State of Somalia President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, widely known as Irro, appealed for calm Friday after two days of unrest in the northwestern town of Boorama left multiple people dead and injured, underscoring rising clan tensions in the Awdal region. In a brief televised address, Irro condemned the violence, urged security forces to return to their barracks and pledged a “speedy and transparent” investigation into the clashes. Authorities have not released an official death toll.…

Trump’s ‘garbage’ remark sparks disappointment and backlash across Somalia

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — After vowing this week to cut down on immigration from “third world countries” in response to the deadly attack on two National Guard members by an Afghan national, President Donald Trump turned his ire on Somalis, calling them “garbage” and urging Somali Americans to “go back” and “fix” their homeland, which he described as “hell.” The comments drew swift condemnation from Somali Americans — including Somalia-born Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat, who called the remarks “vile” — and from Somalis…

North Western State of Somalia lawmaker alleges security forces intentionally shot civilians in Borama

North Western State of Somalia MP accuses security forces of shooting civilians as Borama unrest leaves at least 10 dead At least 10 people were reported killed over two days of unrest in Borama, the capital of North Western State of Somalia’s Awdal region, as a lawmaker accused national security forces of deliberately shooting unarmed civilians and President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro ordered troops to return to their bases. MP Mohamed Abiib Yusuf says civilians were shot amid clashes in Borama President Irro…

Trump deepens anti-immigrant rhetoric, calling people from Somalia ‘garbage’

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump repeatedly called Somali immigrants in the United States “garbage” during a televised Cabinet meeting, sharpening years of incendiary rhetoric on immigration and drawing swift condemnation at home and abroad. In the meeting’s two-minute finale Tuesday, Trump said four times in seven seconds that “Somali immigrants are garbage,” then added five times, “We don’t want ’em in our country.” He continued: “Let ’em go back to where they came from and fix it.” Cabinet members applauded. Vice…

North Western State of Somalia Police Urge Calm After Deadly Borama Protests Over Xeer Ciise Book Launch

Two killed as Borama protests over Xeer Ciise commemoration turn deadly North Western State of Somalia police urge calm after Saylac book event triggers unrest; accusations of excessive force mount BORAMA, North Western State of Somalia — Two young men were killed and several others injured as protests over a planned commemoration of the Xeer Ciise book in Saylac escalated in Borama from late Thursday into Friday, prompting a heightened security deployment and appeals for calm from authorities. The Xeer Ciise refers to the…

US Lawmakers Denounce Trump’s Somali American Remarks as Xenophobic, Unacceptable

Democrats condemn Trump’s remarks about Somali Americans as ‘xenophobic,’ warn rhetoric aids extremists Senior Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday condemned President Donald Trump’s strongly derogatory comments about Somali Americans and Somalia, calling the remarks “xenophobic and unacceptable” and warning they could endanger U.S. interests. In a joint statement, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Cory Booker said Trump’s rhetoric targeted Somali Americans, including immigrants and refugees,…

Somalia’s Aid Lifeline: Billions Spent, Sparse Progress as Trust Erodes

Somalia’s Cash Pipeline: Billions in Aid, Little Change at Home as Trust Deficit Deepens MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia sits at the center of a paradox. The country attracts substantial external finance — about $4.2 billion in annual inflows by one senior official’s estimate — yet citizens still face delayed salaries, frayed services and scarce formal jobs. As donors recalibrate their risk exposure and the government insists its systems are improving, a widening trust deficit is draining resources, slowing delivery and…

Somali Forces’ Raids Deliver Major Setback to al-Shabab in Central Somalia

Army raids deal major blow to al-Shabab in central Somalia GALGADUUD, Somalia — Somali government forces say they destroyed al-Shabab hideouts and secured a key roadway during an operation in central Somalia, marking a fresh setback for the extremist group as the army intensifies its campaign across Galmudug state. Troops from the Somali National Army’s 242nd Battalion led the raid along the corridor between Cali Yabaal and the Geeriile junction, targeting what officials described as a supply store and shelters used by the…

Court Hears How Hashim Dagane Killed Girlfriend, Dumped Remains at Lang’ata Cemetery

NAIROBI, Kenya — Prosecutors on Wednesday told the High Court that a Nairobi man already linked to three killings in October 2024 murdered his girlfriend a week later, mutilated and boiled parts of her body, and tried to dump the remains at Lang’ata Cemetery. Appearing before Lady Justice Margaret Muigai on Dec. 3, 2025, Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Gikui Gichui said Hashim Dagane Muhumed — also known as Hashim Mohamed Khalif — killed Deka Abdi Noor Gorane on the night of Oct. 29–30, 2024, inside Valley…