Vocal Africa CEO and activist Hussein Khalid has hit back at Daadab MP Farah Maalim after the lawmaker applauded Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu for deporting Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi and his Ugandan counterpart Agather Atuhaire.
Taking to his X account on Saturday, May 25, 2025, Khalid dismissed Maalim’s criticism and accused him of lacking an understanding of the activists’ mission. He described Maalim’s comments as misguided and disconnected from the realities of justice movements across Africa.
“Getting all worked up over an AI-generated video. That’s why we insist these old politicians are the greatest liabilities to our nations,” Khalid wrote.
He went on to defend their activism, highlighting that they had always stood up for justice in different parts of the world, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“But just in case, here we are, @bonifacemwangi and I, on the frontline in Nairobi protesting for Gaza and Palestine. This too was at the height of COVID-19, but we still came out for Palestine. We have and always will stand for justice. In Palestine, in Kenya, in Tanzania. Everywhere we will be there, inshallah,” Khalid added.
He challenged Maalim to provide a single example of when he had ever stood up for justice, further fueling the online debate.
Maalim’s remarks
Maalim had earlier taken a swipe at Mwangi and Atuhaire, branding them as foreign agents.
“Boniface Mwangi & Co. are agents of a well-oiled modern global imperialism. This is not human rights but treasonable, anarchistic mercenaries,” Maalim stated.
He accused the activists of selective advocacy and questioned why they had not protested against what he termed as greater injustices across the continent and beyond.
“Why didn’t they protest the wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians in Gaza? Why didn’t they protest in support of Ibrahim Traore or protest against the theft of African resources by France, the US, the UK, etc.? Why didn’t they protest against the slaughter of Sudanese civilians by Israel/UAE/Western-backed RSF?” he posed.
Maalim also claimed that the duo, and others like them, were eroding African traditions and values, aligning themselves with what he described as modern colonisation.
“These mercenaries are also the first line of attack on our traditional African values. Kudos, Mama Suluhu, for protecting Tanzania from foot soldiers of modern colonization of Africa,” he said.
The controversy comes months after Maalim was expelled from the Wiper Democratic Movement, where he previously served as deputy party leader. His expulsion followed remarks he made while accompanying President William Ruto on a political tour, which party leader Kalonzo Musyoka described as unconstitutional.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Farah Maalim, who until now has been the Wiper party’s deputy, stands expelled from the Wiper Democratic Movement for violating the constitution and the rights of Kenyans,” Kalonzo said at the time.
