Conflicting identity by Ahmedsalim Noor hashi
In the early sixties of the 20th century anew country was born. The British colonialist created it. Before that Kenya never existed. In 1963 this country attained independence, with the fire of excitement and celebration burning; NFD(Northern Frontier Districts) remained gloomy dark and worried. The announcement by the British that NFD will be part and parcel of this newly created state sparked mass demonstration and total disobedience to the Kenyan government. The population of NFD   considered this to be hegemony and occupation. This was when the pan-Somali was in its heydays and the spirit of Somali nationalism was burning in them.

Britain tried to induce the populace that joining Kenya wasn’t the end. They could still retain their primary identity and co-exist harmoniously within this polyglot state. But all in vain and war was inevitable. In 1963 the succession war began, the only external war the Kenyan army has ever fought. In this war the poor populace    was detained, terrorized, abducted, imprisoned, massacred and displaced as the world watched. The war ended after Kenya and Somalia signed the Arusha memorandum of understanding in October 1967.yes the war ended but the sufferings of the local continued.

The emergency curfew from dusk to dawn, the closure of the border all were in place till early 1990s, then came the Moi era that was a total nightmare to the populace. The regime added a salt to the nepian wound. The infamous massacres of wagalla, Garissa and other crimes against humanity were committed by this regime. For mankind and indeed all creatures have natural flexibility, an inclination to forget but to us this is unforgettable.

Time elapsed years passed as the reality of kenyanism dawned on the NEP populace especially on the young generation. They started going to government schools, learning Swahili and English languages, listening to the national broadcaster, attending meetings called by the government. The few educated elites were appointed to public offices; they shake hands with their foes-turned friends. They crossed borders to other provinces. Some settled there. The result was the emergence of a whole generation that has no link to its origins other than his/her physical appearance. They joined the lost generation.

Despite these changes the province lacks behind in almost everything. Poverty and ignorance are at high rates. Impassable roads, no clean water, no health care services. More than 63% of the populace go to the bush to answer their natural call. Some of the government institutions aren’t sure whether NEP is part of   Kenya or Somalia? One year ago a Somali Kenyan was asked at JKIA (jomo Kenyatta international Airport) where and how he obtained the Kenyan passport. The Kenyan government sits back and watches as it has no plans or policies to improve the situation. The government is known for sponsoring and fueling inter clan wars that ravaged the province in the late and early 90s. These wars claimed the lives of thousands.

As the new millennium ushered in peace and stability returned to the vast province for the first time in decades. Thanks to the efforts of the few elite sons and daughters of the region. The new millennium is the bridge-the link between our historic past and Insha'Allah our bright future.

As the new generation is seduced into kenyanism and making them to accept the new imperialism by the use of different methods such as new syllabus, media  and propaganda; others specially the old are left stranded and hesitating not knowing what to do? However there is one fact that is certain: The current NEP is no longer the NEP we knew in early 60s and 90s.              

The writer is a student at international university of Africa, khartoum sudan.