Muslim group condemns Kenyan minister for remarks to female journalist

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenyans online joined the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) on Tuesday in condemning comments by Education Minister George Magoha for “al-Shabaab” remarks to a Muslim female journalist.

Magoha was speaking to the media when, in response to a question by the journalist, he asked her: “First of all, where do you come from? Who are you representing? Because if you are representing Al Shabaab, I will not answer you.”

The exchange was captured on video at a Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) junior classrooms event.

After she identified herself as working for NTV Kenya, Magoha said: “NTV is a good station, so I will answer you.

SUPKEM chair Hassan Ole Naado told journalists at the Jamia Mosque in the nation’s capital of Nairobi that he is asking the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to take action against Magoha.

“We are concerned about profiling a female reporter by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha because of her dressing based on Islam, the minister and seeing her as if she was representing a terrorist organization. The comments have saddened us especially because they are remarks coming from a leader of his caliber.”

Naado also urged Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to dismiss Magoha, a view that was backed by Muslim leaders.

"It's absolutely unacceptable, He is opening a new door for Islamophobia in Kenya," wrote Hussein Mahdi, a netizen on Twitter.

Shukri Ahmed, another netizen encouraged Kenyatta to take action.

"Mr President, please sack this arrogant and ignorant Prof. We shouldn't have people like Magoha at the helm of our Education ministry," he wrote.