Magoha's Al Shabaab Comments on NTV Journalist Spark Uproar

Education Cabinet Secretary, George Omore Magoha has found himself suddenly in trouble after a section of Muslim leaders called upon President Uhuru Kenyatta to fire him.

The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) took fault with remarks he made on Monday, July 25 against an NTV journalist, profiling her as a member of the Al Shabaab terrorist group.

Speaking at Jamia Mosque on Tuesday, July 26, SUPKEM leaders led by Sheikh Hassan Ole Naado called out the CS for abusing her freedom of religion through his sentiments, that freedom being depicted in the Constitution of Kenya.

Hassan Ole Naado, Chairperson of SUPKEM addressing a reporter on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. /NTV

"To say the truth, we are very concerned about the comments made by Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha. He is not an ordinary Kenyan, he is learned with his own rights and stands for all our schools across the country.

"In this unfortunate incident captured and broadcast in the video, the CS is seen targeting, discriminating and verbally attacking the young Muslim lady journalist based on her religion and referring to her as representing a terrorist organisation," he explained.

Naado further appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to terminate CS Magoha after the remarks as other Muslim leaders called for all journalists in Kenya to be protected ahead of the elections on August 9.

While inspecting the second phase of CBC junior classrooms in Nairobi, Magoha, in a video seen by Viral Tea, could be heard quizzing the female Muslim reporter covered in Hijab where she came from and whether she represented the Al Shabaab, instead of answering a question fielded to him by her.

"First of all, where do you come from? Who are you representing because if you are representing Al Shabaab, I'll not answer you," the CS responded.

The CS proceeded to check the inscription of the mic she was holding before he challenged her to reveal her employer's identity, to which she said NTV.

"NTV is a good station, so I will answer you," Magoha responded to the journalist whose identity has not yet been established.

The Muslim leaders also asked the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to punish the CS, who is yet to respond to the eventuality, not even the Ministry of Education.

The MCK is yet to issue a response over the same, as well as the NCIC by the time of publication.

Education CS George Magoha. /DAILY NATION