Specific information on the treatment of Ismaili Muslims in Kenya between 1996 and 1998 could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, following bomb attacks on United States' embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam in August 1998, the government reportedly banned five Islamic non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (AFP 14 Sept. 1998; The Indian Ocean Newsletter 12 Sept. 1998). This action was strongly criticized by the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims, which stated it was "provocative, discriminatory, vindictive, anti-Muslim and anti-Islam" (AFP 10 Sept. 1998). The Supreme Council further alleged that Kenyan Muslims have been targets for harassment and intimidation (ibid.), and threatened to stage a nation-wide protest (KTN Television 10 Sept.1998). Consequently, protests were staged in Mombasa, with demonstrators from the coastal districts of Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa, Taita/Taveta (Africa Research Bulletin Oct.1998, 13264).

In Nairobi, the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims reportedly met with President Moi in an attempt to moderate. The president allegedly promised to set up a committee "to report on the activities of the banned Islamic NGOs" (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 14 September 1998. "Crackdown on Moslem NGOs in Kenya Sparks New Protests." (NEXIS)

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. October 1998. Vol. 35. No. 10. "Kenya: Muslims Divided."

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 12 September 1998. "Banned Islamic NGOs." (NEXIS)

AFP. 10 September 1998. "Kenya Moslems Demand Reinstatement of Islamic NGO's." [Internet] http://wnc.fedworld.gov [accessed 14 Sept. 1998].

Kenya Television Network (KTN) Television. 10 September 1998. "Kenya: Kenya Muslim Council Threatens Nation-wide Protest." [Internet] http://wnc.fedworld.gov [accessed 14 Sept. 1998].

Africa Confidential [London]. 1997-1998. Vols. 38-39. Nos. 1-25.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 1997. 1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, REFWORLD, World News Connection (WNC).

Two oral sources consulted did not provide information on the requested subject.