A man accused of fraudulently acquiring Kenyan registration documents and residing in the country illegally has made a passionate appeal for his release, claiming Kenya is his only home.
Appearing before Milimani Principal Magistrate Rose Ndombi, Abdihakim Said Jama said he was born and raised in Ngare Mara village, Isiolo County, and denied being a Somali national as alleged by the prosecution.
“I was born in Isiolo to Said Jama and Fatuma Mohammed, both now deceased. I have no other nationality,” Jama told the court. He presented their death certificates, which list Isiolo Central as the place of death, in support of his claims.
Jama, who said he only received Madrasa education and is unable to read or write, narrated how he moved to Nairobi in 2011 and established a business in Eastleigh. He said he obtained his national ID in 2011 with the help of a local chief, submitting Madrasa certificates and undergoing vetting, fingerprinting, and photo registration.
He also submitted copies of a Kenyan passport, driver’s license, and birth certificate as proof of citizenship, and denied prosecution claims that he had contested a gubernatorial seat in Somalia. “I went to Somalia on business with a Kenyan visa. I’ve never engaged in politics there,” he said.
Jama accused a business rival, Ayni Hussein, of orchestrating the charges. “This is a commercial conflict. She told elders she would make sure I leave Kenya,” he claimed.
However, the prosecution challenged inconsistencies in the identity documents, including an ID number listed as his mother’s that Jama admitted was inaccurate. He also admitted the woman listed in some forms was not his mother.
Judgment is expected on July 23, 2025.
Written By Kelly Were
