NAIROBI – Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has criticized Standard Media Group for what he describes as ethnic profiling and discriminatory reporting against Kenyans of Somali origin, following a recent investigative story on alleged irregularities in the issuance of national identification documents and passports.
In a statement, Duale asserted that ethnic profiling has no place in Kenya, emphasizing the country’s constitutional commitment to diversity and equal rights for all citizens.
“The preamble of our Constitution celebrates and recognizes our ethnic diversity as the people of Kenya,” Duale said. He pointed specifically to Article 12 of the Constitution, enshrined in the Bill of Rights, which guarantees every Kenyan citizen the right to a passport and identification documents irrespective of ethnicity.
Duale accused the media house of going on a “rampage” by targeting individuals of Somali origin who are constitutionally entitled to these documents. “That a media house could therefore profile Kenyans only of Somali origin… is nothing short of ethnic profiling and targeted discrimination against the Somali community based purely on ethnicity,” he charged.
The CS described the “investigative” piece as unprofessional, dishonest, and biased, claiming it cast aspersions on the citizenship of Somalis. “This has NO place in our Constitution!” he declared.
*Ethnic profiling has no place in our country!*
Indeed, the preamble of our Constitution celebrates and recognizes our ethnic diversity as the people of Kenya.
Suffice it to say, Article 12 of the Constitution which is in the Bill of Rights espouses in black and white the…
— Hon. Aden Duale, EGH (@HonAdenDuale) June 15, 2026
The controversy stems from a KTN News investigation (under the Standard Media Group umbrella) that highlighted alleged schemes where Somali nationals and other foreigners reportedly obtained Kenyan IDs, passports and birth certificates through brokers, often with altered personal details. The report raised national security concerns, including potential infiltration risks and threats to the integrity of Kenya’s electoral and immigration systems.
Duale’s remarks underscore ongoing sensitivities around the integration and treatment of Kenyan Somalis, a community that has long faced accusations of profiling amid security challenges linked to regional instability and groups like Al-Shabaab. Kenyan Somalis have repeatedly called for equal treatment, arguing that legitimate citizens should not be stigmatized due to the actions of a few.
The Cabinet Secretary urged media houses to uphold professionalism and avoid narratives that undermine national unity. As debates over border security, document integrity, and citizenship continue, Duale’s intervention highlights the delicate balance between safeguarding national interests and protecting constitutional rights in a multi-ethnic society.
