Kenya: Information on discrimination against East Indians in Kenya
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | KEN27193.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Kenya: Information on discrimination against East Indians in Kenya, 1 June 1997, KEN27193.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abf144.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to an Associated Press report, East Indians in Kenya are referred to as "Asians" (13 Mar. 1997). Several sources report that Kenyan Asians have been the targets of official and societal discrimination, as well as political and physical attacks (AFP 9 Apr. 1997; Country Reports 1996, 1997, 141 ; Jane's Intelligence Review I Feb. 1997; National Westminister Branch Country Briefs May 1997; KTN TV 3 Apr. 1997).
According to a 3 April 1997 Kenya Television Network TV (KTN TV) report, a leading member of the opposition party Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Asili (FORD-Asili), Kenneth Matiba, renewed a call for the expulsion of Asians from Kenya. The first call was allegedly made early in 1997 (Jane's Intelligence Review 1 Feb. 1997). The threat to expel Asians reportedly sent shock waves through to the 70,000-strong and economically influential Asian community, with the result that "an average of one Asian family a week has been packing up to leave Nairobi" (ibid.). For detailed information on this topic, please consult the attached documents.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 April 1997. John Nyaga. "Ethnic Controversy Rocks Kenyan Politics Ahead of Elections." (NEXIS)
Associated Press. 13 March 1997. Chege Mbitiru. "Opposition Figures Warn of Kenya's Disintegration, Urge Reforms." (NEXIS)
Country Reports on Human Rights Practicesfor 1996. 1997. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office, p. 141.
Jane's Intelligence Review [Surrey, UK]. 1 February 1997. Vol. 4, No. 2. Simon Baynham. "Racial Fears Flare in Kenya." (NEXIS)
National Westminister Bank Country Briefs [New Jersey]. May 1997. "Kenya: May 1997." (NEXIS)
Kenya Television Network (KTN) TV [Nairobi, in English]. 3 April 1997. "Opposition Leader Calls for Expulsion of Asians." (BBC Summary 5 Apr. 1997/NEXIS)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 9 April 1997. John Nyaga. "Ethnic Controversy Rocks Kenyan Politics Ahead of Elections." (NEXIS)
Associated Press. 13 March 1997. Chege Mbitiru. "Opposition Figures Wam of Kenya's Disintegration, Urge Reforms." (NEXIS)
Jane's Intelligence Review [Surrey, UK]. 1 February 1997. Vol. 4, No. 2. Simon Baynham. "Racial Fears Flare in Kenya." (NEXIS)
National Westminister Bank Country Briefs [New Jersey]. May 1997. "Kenya: May 1997." (NEXIS)
Kenya Television Network (KTN) TV [Nairobi, in English]. 3 April 1997. "Opposition Leader Calls for Expulsion of Asians." (BBC Summary 5 Apr. 1997 (NEXIS)
