INTRODUCTION

The Nubian community in Kenya is historically based on the descended soldiers who were forcibly moved from Sudan by the British colonial government about a century ago. Although so many Nubians have lived in Kenya ever since most people do not know about them. In Kenya, most of them live in Kibera, Nairobi County and almost all other Counties, including Mombasa, Kisii, Kisumu, Bungoma, Busia, Kericho and Migori. Almost all the major towns in Kenya have a village called Nubian village, where most Nubians live. A large number of Nubians also live in other countries, including Uganda. Nubians have continually fought for their rights among other minority communities. The Nubians have been completely marginalized, and their access to state services is infinitely inferior to that of larger tribes. 

PLIGHTS OF THE NUBIAN COMMUNITY

ID APPLICATION PROCESS

The Nubian community has long suffered discrimination against citizenship and documentation, including being subjected to an extra process of being vetted to receive their IDs. A photocopy of your parent’s ID and a school leaving certificate are basically the basic requirements for most Kenyans to obtain their ID, but not for the Nubians! They are required to bring forth their parents, and during this process, they are all required to swear an affidavit in presence of three Nubian Elders, who will then confirm that they indeed know the ID applicant and their parents and that he/she is a resident in that specific area. They must also provide documentation to prove that they have been staying in that residence. Even then, it still takes longer to receive the IDs whereas other applicants who are not from the minority community receive their IDs not quite long after application. Other applicants confirmed to have received their IDs after applying for them while still at school, except for the minority communities who have to go through this whole rigorous process. The lack of recognition violates our rights as citizens of this country. In 2021, a petition was made by representatives from the Nubian community on discrimination against citizenship and documentation. Other plights include land documentation, eviction, settlement and land ownership issues.

HOUSE DEMOLITION

The demolition of houses in the Nubian sector of Kibos Nubian Village in Kisumu County by the Kenya Railway Corporation caused a humanitarian and settlement nightmare in early 2021. Most people were left homeless. Jamia Mosque in Kibos, which was built in 1938 was also demolished which was really unlawful and unacceptable. The same case also happened in Kibera, Nairobi County in 2017 where people were evicted without prior notice or compensation plans. There was also no public participation that would have given the affected people a chance to be heard and even plan to vacate.

CONCLUSION

Nubians have always been a close-knit community, and as we hope for the government to address these issues which have been brought fourth overtime, we should also strive individually on the part that we will each play to ensure that our rights are heard within our own capacity. Several bodies joined by other community leaders urged the Kenyan government to stop discrimination against Nubians, and others denied citizenship due to their ethnicity. The discrimination will be over with the passage of time.