Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has ignited fresh debate after boldly declaring that Kenyan Somalis were the original discoverers and early settlers of key Nairobi neighbourhoods such as Parklands, Eastleigh and parts of Thika town long before they became the bustling commercial hubs known today.
Speaking at a colourful cultural event organised by the Somali community at Eastleigh’s California grounds on Sunday evening, the veteran legislator said there has been a deliberate attempt over the years to erase the historical footprint of Somalis in the making of modern Kenya.
“We Somalis are the ones who discovered parts of Thika, Parklands and Eastleigh. We were here grazing livestock, trading and building when these places were still thick forest and bush,” Keynan told the crowd that responded with thunderous applause.
The six-term MP accused certain quarters of rewriting history to downplay the Somali contribution to Kenya’s nationhood. “There was an attempt to rubbish the history of the Somali community and their contribution to the making of the nation-state of the Republic of Kenya. They want us to look like late arrivals, yet our grandfathers paid taxes to the colonial government in these very areas,” he added.
Keynan reminded the gathering that Somali traders from Wajir, Garissa and Mandera were already running successful transport and merchandise businesses between the coast and the hinterland as early as the 1920s, laying the foundation for what later became Eastleigh’s famous business district.
He pointed out that the name “Eastleigh” itself was given by British officers who settled near Somali military camps during World War I.
The lawmaker further celebrated the global reach of the Somali people, saying divine favour has made them one of the most widely spread communities on earth.
“By the Grace of God, Somalis are now the most widely spread community in the world. You will find us thriving in Minneapolis, London, Dubai, Sydney and Toronto. That is not by accident; it is the blessing of Allah,” he stated as the crowd chanted “Allahu Akbar”.
Several community elders who spoke at the same event corroborated Keynan’s claims. Retired teacher Abdi Issack from Garissa displayed old photographs showing Somali camel caravans parked where Parklands Sports Club stands today.
Another elder, Haji Mohamed Nur, recalled how his father owned large tracts of land in Thika that were later compulsorily acquired by the government.
Political analyst Ahmed Ibrahim welcomed the statements, saying it is time Kenyans acknowledged the pre-independence economic role played by pastoralist communities, including Somalis, Borana and Orma, in opening up the country.
“Before the railway reached Nairobi, Somali traders were already had established routes linking Lamu, Garissa and the Tana River delta to central Kenya. That history must be taught in schools,” he said.
The event concluded with the launch of a community-driven project to document and publish the untold history of Kenyan Somalis from 1900 to the present day.
The organisers say the book, expected to be released in mid-2026, will include land title records, colonial tax receipts, and oral testimonies that prove early Somali settlement in various parts of the country.
As the sun set over Eastleigh, hundreds of youth left the grounds promising to defend their heritage while continuing to contribute to Kenya’s growth, proving that the Somali spirit of enterprise remains stronger than ever.
