Ali Aden Lord
Encyclopedia
Ali Aden Lord was a Somali
, born and raised in Nairobi
in 1915 from famous Adan Lord family from Laasqoray. As his last name suggests, he came to acquire, bequethed in a sense, a huge land in the Eastleight section of Nairobi
, including the Air Force base area, as a result of his father’s legacy. And he owned many Real Estate properties.
Ali Aden Lord joined the Mau Mau resistance later and became a key figure in its leadership. He was said to have been a close friend of Jomo Kenyata during the struggle to Political Independence.
Ali Adan Lord became the first Somali
MP and later the Interior Minister of Kenya
, after which he did so many things for the Somali community. As an Interior Minister, Mr. Lord included along with Jomo Kenyatta the state delegation that went to Mogadishu during President Sharmaake’s term. In honor of his achievement, President Sharmarke named a new road after his name in Mogadishu.
Mr. Ali Aden Lord founded the famous North Eastern People Progressive Party (NPPP). During his political career he campaigned vigorously to improve the conditions of Somalis in the 4 frontier Districts from its utter neglect and isolation. He was very much liked and particularly popular in his letters and petitions to different governors in pre-independent Kenya. He raised the bar for economic development and strove to secure a coherent policy of integration. Of special note is the introduction of educational facilities in the region and of scholarships.
In mid 1961, Ali Aden Lord and British
Secretary for Colonial Affairs met each other in Nairobi
and discussed over NPPP’s independent platform. He was allowed to attend the Constitutional Conference at Lancaster House
in London
. At the Conference, Ali Aden Lord articulated Somalis’ fear and concern over their political rights as a religiously distinct and minority ethnic group. He pleaded his case that if Britain
did not give the NFD the right to self-determination before it handed over political power to Kenya, “the frontier could expect neglect, bad administration and disregard for their rights at best and at worst oppression”. For this, he became the sole candidate for the entire NFD and won his seat in the Parliament as a KADU -Independent member. Ali Aden became a member of the LEGCO in 1960, a Legislative Council whose membership had been previously exclusive to white settlers until late 1950s.
He was very much aware of the futility of the secessionist platform of NPPP. Nevertheless the concept of Greater Somalia
dominated public opinion and he used it as a crucial rallying point for his mandate over what his critics referred to as a “weak grassroots base” because having born, educated and lived outside the region for most of his life, he did not want to be seen as an outsider and collaborator of the colonial designs of Kenya
. He used the secessionist platform to address the underlying ethnic grievances.
Consequently he filed a number of petitions to the governor Sir Patrick Renison that Somalis be given a greater autonomy in their political, cultural and social affairs. However, it was concluded at the Lancaster House that Somalis from the non-self governing Somali
territory of NFD shared a common political destiny with the rest of Kenya
despite the findings of an independent Commission appointed by the British Government that Somalis were in favor of an independence and immediate union with Somalia
. Though a federal solution was proposed in the Kenyan constitution as an amendment on the eve of Independence, the government suspended the clause and opted for a centralized format in 1964. And Jomo Kenyatta
vehemently defended his country’s territorial integrity even if takes using lethal force.
He later adopted a long-term policy that the political issues between the secessionist-inspired NPPP and the two major political parties of KADU and KANU
be resolved through consensus and mutual respect.
He Interior Minister Aden Lord was a catalyst for the degree of contemporary political participation of Somalis in Kenya.
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
, born and raised in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
in 1915 from famous Adan Lord family from Laasqoray. As his last name suggests, he came to acquire, bequethed in a sense, a huge land in the Eastleight section of Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, including the Air Force base area, as a result of his father’s legacy. And he owned many Real Estate properties.
Ali Aden Lord joined the Mau Mau resistance later and became a key figure in its leadership. He was said to have been a close friend of Jomo Kenyata during the struggle to Political Independence.
Ali Adan Lord became the first Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
MP and later the Interior Minister of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, after which he did so many things for the Somali community. As an Interior Minister, Mr. Lord included along with Jomo Kenyatta the state delegation that went to Mogadishu during President Sharmaake’s term. In honor of his achievement, President Sharmarke named a new road after his name in Mogadishu.
Mr. Ali Aden Lord founded the famous North Eastern People Progressive Party (NPPP). During his political career he campaigned vigorously to improve the conditions of Somalis in the 4 frontier Districts from its utter neglect and isolation. He was very much liked and particularly popular in his letters and petitions to different governors in pre-independent Kenya. He raised the bar for economic development and strove to secure a coherent policy of integration. Of special note is the introduction of educational facilities in the region and of scholarships.
In mid 1961, Ali Aden Lord and British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Secretary for Colonial Affairs met each other in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
and discussed over NPPP’s independent platform. He was allowed to attend the Constitutional Conference at Lancaster House
Lancaster House
Lancaster House is a mansion in the St. James's district in the West End of London. It is close to St. James's Palace and much of the site was once part of the palace complex...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. At the Conference, Ali Aden Lord articulated Somalis’ fear and concern over their political rights as a religiously distinct and minority ethnic group. He pleaded his case that if Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
did not give the NFD the right to self-determination before it handed over political power to Kenya, “the frontier could expect neglect, bad administration and disregard for their rights at best and at worst oppression”. For this, he became the sole candidate for the entire NFD and won his seat in the Parliament as a KADU -Independent member. Ali Aden became a member of the LEGCO in 1960, a Legislative Council whose membership had been previously exclusive to white settlers until late 1950s.
He was very much aware of the futility of the secessionist platform of NPPP. Nevertheless the concept of Greater Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
dominated public opinion and he used it as a crucial rallying point for his mandate over what his critics referred to as a “weak grassroots base” because having born, educated and lived outside the region for most of his life, he did not want to be seen as an outsider and collaborator of the colonial designs of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. He used the secessionist platform to address the underlying ethnic grievances.
Consequently he filed a number of petitions to the governor Sir Patrick Renison that Somalis be given a greater autonomy in their political, cultural and social affairs. However, it was concluded at the Lancaster House that Somalis from the non-self governing Somali
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
territory of NFD shared a common political destiny with the rest of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
despite the findings of an independent Commission appointed by the British Government that Somalis were in favor of an independence and immediate union with Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. Though a federal solution was proposed in the Kenyan constitution as an amendment on the eve of Independence, the government suspended the clause and opted for a centralized format in 1964. And Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyattapron.] served as the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation....
vehemently defended his country’s territorial integrity even if takes using lethal force.
He later adopted a long-term policy that the political issues between the secessionist-inspired NPPP and the two major political parties of KADU and KANU
KANU
KANU or Kanu may refer to:*Kenya African National Union*KANU , a radio station licensed to Lawrence, Kansas, United States*Kanu - a kabuki play*Kanu Hawaii, a Hawaii based non profit...
be resolved through consensus and mutual respect.
He Interior Minister Aden Lord was a catalyst for the degree of contemporary political participation of Somalis in Kenya.