Garissa Town legislator Aden Duale has dismissed claims that most businessmen from the Somali community engage in illegal trade.
The National Assembly Majority Leader was speaking on Friday as the Muslims fraternity marked the end of the holy Ramadhan month.
He noted that Muslims support President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive for public servants to undergo lifestyle audits.
"Just like [other people], Kenyan Somalis are free to do business across the country, so that should not be used to profile them," he said.
Mr Duale noted that working hard was the reason why most Somalis thrive in business.
"Kenyan Somali’s thrive in business across the country because they are hardworking. Continued ethnic profiling, by propelling propaganda that we are taking up the CBD, should stop,"noted Duale.“
According to Duale, the community will continue to invest in businesses in the Nairobi central business district and will not apologise for that.
"We have a right under the Constitution and those contravening the law are individuals, not Muslims or Somalis, who must be dealt with in accordance with the law," he said.