Somali-born Ahmed Hussein made history on July 26 when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed him as the Minister of International Development.
Hussein's journey to this significant position has been remarkable. Born in Somalia in 1976, he was compelled to flee his homeland at the age of 15 due to the devastating Somali Civil War.
Seeking refuge, Ahmed Hussein and his parents found a welcoming neighbour in Kenya. They were able to settle in a camp in Mombasa, where his father secured work as a truck driver to support the family.
As refugees, Kenya provided them with the chance to pursue their dreams, and soon after, they were able to leave the camp
“There was chaos everywhere. My parents decided we had to flee. We gathered a few belongings, got on the back of a big truck with a few other families, and left Somalia never to return,” the politician stated in a past interview.
According to Hussein's account, they lived in several apartments in Nairobi before Hussein moved to Toronto, Canada, as a refugee in 1994.
Interestingly, the Canadian Minister is a close friend of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.
When President William Ruto appointed Duale as CS, Hussein was among the first people to send a congratulatory message by writing, “Congratulations my friend. You will continue to do great things for your country and in this role.”
In a similar manner, Duale became the first Kenyan to congratulate Hussein. He wrote, “Congratulations my brother. I know you are up to the task.”
Hussein, a Member of Parliament for York South-Weston, has established a close and productive working relationship with the Kenyan government. He has played a crucial role in facilitating humanitarian aid for both Somalia and Kenya.
Additionally, Hussein has been actively collaborating with the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Ministry to create better opportunities for Kenyans seeking opportunities in Canada.
“Canada’s relationship with Kenya is very important to us and one that we will continue to build upon,” he announced after meeting Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua on May 15, 2023.
Hussein has a rich professional and political background that has seen him occupy senior positions in the Canadian Immigration, Social Development and Housing Program ministries.
