Jamia Mosque responds viral anti-Muslim clip in a strongly worded statement that condemns a circulating video accused of inciting hatred and peddling dangerous falsehoods about Kenya’s Muslim community
The Nairobi-based mosque committee released the rebuttal Friday evening after a sermon excerpt exploded online, showing a pastor alleging President William Ruto has flung borders wide open, issuing national IDs without checks, and paving the way for an “Abuja Declaration” takeover by 2040.
Leaders branded the claims baseless fearmongering rooted in Islamophobia, urging authorities to act swiftly against hate speech while calling for national unity.
The controversial clip, filmed at a city church last weekend, features the pastor at a wooden pulpit warning congregants of an alleged plot. “Ruto has allowed them in unchecked, giving IDs freely.
By 2040, they will implement the Abuja Declaration – controlling finance, education, even forcing conversions,” he claims, voice rising over murmurs from the pews.
Posted on TikTok and WhatsApp groups, the video racked up 500,000 views by Thursday, fueling heated threads on X where users dissected the so-called Abuja Declaration – an OIC resolution on Muslim solidarity often distorted online as a global domination blueprint.
Fact-checkers quickly debunked the narrative, noting Kenya’s immigration vetting remains rigorous and no evidence links ID issuance to demographic conquest.
“This viral anti-Muslim clip promotes hate speech that endangers peaceful coexistence,” Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome read from the statement, his tone measured but firm.
“Fabricating stories of open borders and secret agendas sows division in our multi-faith nation. Muslims are loyal Kenyans contributing to development, not plotting takeovers. We demand the preacher retract and face the law under NCIC guidelines.”
The mosque praised recent arrests in similar cases, urging DCI to trace the video’s spread and hold amplifiers accountable.
Interfaith leaders rallied behind the call. Catholic Archbishop Anthony Muheria, speaking at a solidarity visit Saturday, decried the clip as “poisonous rhetoric that mocks Kenya’s harmony.”
NCCK General Secretary Chris Karanja echoed from Nakuru, warning unchecked sermons risk replaying 2007’s dark chapters.
Even moderate evangelical voices distanced themselves; Pastor Ezekiel Odero posted on X: “Preach Christ, not conspiracy. This hurts the Gospel.”On the streets, reactions mirrored the divide.
“But after praying and checking facts, it’s clear someone wants chaos. We live with Muslims peacefully.”The timing stings amid heightened migration debates. Kenya hosts over 700,000 refugees, mostly Somali Muslims, with recent border skirmishes fueling xenophobia.
Analysts link the surge in such clips to 2027 politicking, where faith and ethnicity often weaponize. “This viral anti-Muslim clip fits a pattern of dog-whistle campaigns,” noted political scientist Dr. Adams Oloo from UoN, citing past election cycles.
As Friday prayers filled Jamia with worshippers seeking solace, Lethome ended the briefing on hope: “Kenya’s strength is our diversity. Let no tongue tear it apart.”
For a nation still healing from Gen-Z protests and economic bites, the incident shows a fragile thread: words can wound deeper than policies.
