Interviews

Abdisalam Osman: “as artists, we’re trailblazers”

5 April, 2025

Abdisalam Osman is a Nairobi-based writer and poet (Credit: Instagram | @officialabdisalam)

Abdisalam Osman, a Nairobi-based Somali author, poet, and publisher, speaks to Geeska about art, marginalisation, and Kenya’s Somali community.

What types of challenges do Somali artists face? Abdisalam Osman, a Nairobi-based, Kenyan-born Somali author, publisher and poet, says Somali creatives have “faced disappointments, harsh receptions, and limited resources” which has stymied the sector and the ability of artists to engage and take inspiration from each other. Art isn’t just a luxury for Osman but a crucial part of the development of culture, which he says is a crucial part of how we “process” the world and in that regard, it helps us find our place in it but also think about how we’d like to change it.

Osman was born in Kenya in the early 1990s, at a time when Somalis were largely excluded from the country’s public life and struggled with a legacy of persecution and marginalisation due to mistrust about their loyalties in the face of an overbearing and often brutal state. During a part of the 1980s, Somalis for example were required to carry a special pink card to identify them. They were suspected of not being loyal to the Kenyan state during the Cold War, when neighbouring Somalia had tense ties with Nairobi, and the so-called War on Terror furthered their marginalisation as Kenya began ruthlessly targeting Kenyan Muslims in general, and Kenyan Somalis in particular, with the rise of al-Shabaab. Every attack only heightened the suspicion.

Mohammed Adow, a Kenyan-Somali, former Al Jazeera correspondent in Kenya, and now MP in the country’s parliament, broke down at the end of a moving documentary about the Somali community’s place in the country in reaction to an interview with a Somali woman whose son was killed by security forces after an attack in Eastleigh led to riots and attacks on the community. “It is typical,” he said, struggling to hold back his tears, “we are treated in a country we call our home.” Adow said:

Osman is also from Wajir and Garissa described by a former governor of Isiolo County as the country’s “neglected northern peripheries”. “Despite Kenya having gained independence more than 60 years ago, these regions continue to lag in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic opportunities,” Simba Guled wrote for Geeska. Decades have now passed since Kenya became independent and the place of Somalis in the country is better today, but the region’s they hail from are a symbol of “failure to achieve inclusive development”, Guled continues.

It is these challenges, and others, that Osman contends with. He has so far published two books – one poem and a collection of short stories – and he wants to make it easier for other Somalis to find creative avenues to express themselves. This has led him to found a publishing house and guide other young Somalis in their own artistic journeys. “Someday, a young girl or boy from Northeastern Kenya or Somalia will win a Pulitzer or a Booker Prize because of the paths we’ve beaten,” he tells Geeska optimistically.

Osman speaks to Geeska about his own path into poetry, his own work, and the situation of Somalis in Kenya today.

Mohamed Mohamud: Can you tell me about your background? Where were you born, and how has your upbringing shaped your work?

Abdisalam Osman: I have two names—Abdisalam and Osman. Abdisalam is difficult for many non-Somalis to pronounce, even though it’s a simple name. So, most people just call me Osman. My full name is Abdisalam Osman. I was born on 29 August 1991, in Garissa, Kenya. My family originates from both Wajir and Garissa; hence, I am a Kenyan Somali. My upbringing was always rooted in our Somali culture, but growing up in a historically marginalised region like Garissa gave me, most importantly, a perspective on resilience. It shaped my understanding of community, identity, and the need for representation.

MM: What are your thoughts on the situation of Somalis in Kenya today?

AO: Somalis in Kenya are exceptional people—industrious and endlessly generous. Despite facing historical and systemic marginalisation, they’ve thrived. It’s inspiring to see how Somali communities have built businesses, pursued education, and created opportunities in the face of numerous challenges.

MM: When did you first start writing, and what drew you to storytelling?

AO: Storytelling has been a big part of my life. It defines me, I guess—at least three-quarters of the years I’ve lived so far. My first book was The Silent Scream, published in 2019. It took, like, four years to piece that together. Why storytelling? I’ve always been fascinated by the complexities of human life—religion, culture, and the social issues that exist between them. Writing allows me to explore these themes, challenge perspectives, and spark conversations. The Silent Scream is a collection of 40 stories that reflect this focus. Each story is an attempt to confront societal norms and start a dialogue about what’s right or wrong.

MM: Your second book is very different. What motivated you to write a children’s story?

AO: My second book, The Fairy Kind Hunter & The Two Parrots, was an adventure story for children. It was a very joyful write, as it reminded me of how I was introduced to storytelling in the first place. I remember how much I enjoyed reading children’s books while in primary school; they would spark my imagination and teach me about the power of words. Writing for children felt like giving back to that part of myself.

MM: You’re also the founder of Mint Press Limited. How did it come about, and what is its mission?

AO: Mint Press Limited is a branding, printing, and publishing company. I founded it in 2018, but we officially registered it in 2021. It began with my first book, The Silent Scream. I designed and printed the book myself, and people were impressed by the quality. Shortly after, a close friend approached me with a manuscript. They asked if I could help them publish it, and I delivered the final print. That project was the seed for Mint Press. Now, Mint Press is a fully-fledged operation. We have a staff of five full-time workers, including designers and editors, and a very vibrant workshop. In the last two years, we have published over 20 titles. Our mission is to amplify voices, build brands, and create a space where stories can thrive.

MM: What role do you see for art and storytelling in shaping society?

AO: Art is very important: it gives us a voice and a way to process the world. For me, storytelling is a tool to reflect society back to itself; it’s a means to explore identity, culture, and our collective future. As artists from Somalia, we’re trailblazers. We’ve faced disappointments, harsh receptions, and limited resources, but I believe these will ultimately make it easier for the next generation. Someday, a young girl or boy from Northeastern Kenya or Somalia will win a Pulitzer or a Booker Prize because of the paths we’ve beaten. At Mint Press, we make sure to mentor and train up-and-coming writers to the best of our ability. Sure, we may not be able to provide a vast amount of resources, but knowledge and support will definitely go a long way. For Mint Press, the goal is to keep growing. We want to publish more stories and uplift voices that deserve to be heard, not just in Kenya but on a global scale. On a personal level, my dream is to see Somali and Kenyan writers gain international recognition. Alhamdulillah, we’ve come a long way, but there is still so much more to achieve. With determination and faith, anything is possible.