Kenyan Preacher Who Was Stranded in Germany for Four Years after Gov’t Withdrew His Passport Awarded Sh6 Million in Damages

A Mombasa court has ordered government to pay Sh6 million to Khalid Salim Ahmed Balala, the former leader of the Islamic Party of Kenya, as damages for violation of his rights.

Salim had sued the State for stripping him of citizenship in 1990s after his spirited push for registration of his party.

In its ruling, the court said the State violated the fiery street preacher's rights by withdrawing his passport, forcing him to seek refuge in Germany in 1994, where he led a penury life.

Although the amount of money awarded to him for damages was little, Balala said the important thing is that his constitutional birthright was upheld.

“The most important thing is restoration of my constitutional rights as a Kenyan," Mr Balala said moments after Justice Eric Ogola's ruling.

His agitation for multi-partyism in the 1990s rubbed the Kanu administration the wrong way, leading to withdrawal of his citizenship.

“All I want is a better Kenya where there is law and order, discipline and respect for other people’s rights," he said.

His passport was nullified after he travelled to Germany on a business trip, meaning he could not travel back to Kenya.  “The confiscation of the passport was not justified,” Justice Ogola ruled.

The former preacher was seeking Sh100 million in damages, arguing that he was stranded in Germany for four years, but the court ruled that the amount was "too much". Kenya had allegedly declared him a Yemeni.