The Experiences and Perspectives of Kenyan Somali Youth on Citizenship and Belonging

Perceptions by minority and marginalized groups of being excluded from exercising their citizenry rights continue to be a challenge for most governments due to the threat to social stability that this poses. This research makes visible the experiences and perspectives of Kenyan Somali youth from a multicultural urban environment in Kenya. It seeks to understand how they perceive and position themselves as Kenyan citizens and equally, how they are perceived and framed within official and public discourse. Through a qualitative study the research unravels how Somali identity, Islamic identity and pastoralist identity interact in a securitized environment and how this influences their perceptions of Kenyan citizenship and civic engagement in different spheres of their community and wider society. The study’s findings points to a precarious citizenship experience by these youth. However, governments need to promote youth citizenship by involving youth in policy and programmes that promotes their interests.