Tuesday June 30, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister Jibril Haji Abdirashid has flatly dismissed claims that he posed any security threat during a recent visit to Kenya, describing the allegations as false and lacking any factual basis.
In a statement issued Saturday, Abdirashid pushed back against reports spreading across social media and rejected any suggestion that he had been involved in activity intended to weaken Kenya’s security or stability.
“I am aware of allegations circulating on social media regarding my recent travel to the Republic of Kenya,” Abdirashid said. “I reject these allegations in full. They are false, baseless, and unsupported by fact.”
He said he had not taken part in any conduct meant to threaten the security, sovereignty, stability or territorial integrity of either Kenya or Somalia.
“At no time did I engage in any activity aimed at undermining the security, sovereignty, stability, or territorial integrity of the Republic of Kenya or the Federal Republic of Somalia,” he said. “I have carried out my public duties with full respect for the rule of law, regional peace, and good neighbourly relations.”
Abdirashid also portrayed Kenya as one of Somalia’s most important partners, pointing to Nairobi’s role in sheltering Somali refugees, backing humanitarian work and helping to bolster regional security.
He further restated his support for closer Somalia-Kenya ties, including cooperation in trade, security and infrastructure.
The comments came after an incident at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on June 24, when Abdirashid arrived in Nairobi carrying a valid Somali diplomatic passport and visa.
Kenyan immigration officers reportedly stopped him after suspecting that he also held a Kenyan passport said to have been acquired fraudulently.
When instructed to hand over the document, he allegedly refused, saying he would only produce it in court.
He was subsequently kept at the JKIA VIP lounge before being put on a flight back to Mogadishu, effectively blocking his entry into Kenya.
Kenyan security sources later accused Abdirashid of involvement in efforts to destabilize border towns and arm clan militias along the Kenya-Somalia frontier. He has denied those accusations.
Counter Terrorism Policing Kenya also alleged that Haji, who once served as acting president of Southwest State, was connected to recent armed clashes in Baidoa, where civilians were killed and hundreds of families were displaced.
