They have lived in Kilifi for decades but their recognition as Kenyans has been embroiled in controversy. But now the Pemba community is determined to get a long lasting solution to their plight. – By Ramadhan Kambi.
Last weekend, about 2,000 members of the community accompanied by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) met the national Assembly parliamentary committee on administration and security to petition their plight in Kilifi.
One of the community member, Hassan Omari, said they are usually confronted by police who ask them to produce work permit for working in Kenya whenever they go fishing despite them being born and raised in Kenya.
“We can’t own a property and bank accounts since we do not have identity cards. Most of us have been forced to either forge one or use a Kenyan to own bank accounts and properties,” he said.
Because of these challenges, they have been forced to remain silent whenever assaulted by their neighbors for lack of ID cards to enable them report perpetrators to police.
“Discrimination even within the government for being stateless is alarming. Our children have also fallen victims in schools for their stateless.”
During the hearing, some of the Pembas residing in Watamu, Mayungu, Malindi, Uyombo, Mtondia, Tezo, Mnarani and Kilifi confessed to have obtained national identity cards illegally.
“I did that in order to make ends meet and secure a job among other basic services in the government,” said Mr Jumaa Yusuf, one of the petitioners, adding “my children were unable to sit for national examinations for lack of birth certificate.”
Mr Yusuf further said that they falsely obtained the national identity cards in order to open bank accounts and obtain crucial government services for their children.
Ms Diana Gichengo from the KHRC said they decided to intervene after efforts by the members of the Pemba community to petition the Kilifi and Kwale county assembly failed to address their plight.
“There case has been complex since despite them petitioning the Kilifi and Kwale County assemblies, they have never had a chance to get citizenship,” she said adding “We have taken up the case since there rights have been violated for years, from records; one of the Pembas was the founder chief of Mombasa.”
Ms Gichengo said there intention is to see them incorporated and accepted into the society as Kenyan citizens just like the members of the Makonde community.
