Salim Lone
Encyclopedia
Salim Lone is a Kenyan journalist, political advisor, and former Director of the News and Media Division, Department of Public Information, of the United Nations
. In 2007, Lone became communications director of the Kenyan opposition Orange Democratic Movement
(ODM) led by 2008 coalition Prime Minister Raila Odinga
. He is a columnist for the Daily Nation
in his native Kenya, and also writes regularly for The Guardian
in the UK.
descent, whose great-grandfather was the first family member to migrate to East Africa from Jhelum, in what is now the Pakistani province of Punjab, Lone attended Duke of Gloucester (Now Jamhuri High
) School in Nairobi and then Kenyon College
in the United States during the 1960s. Returning to Kenya he began his career in publishing and journalism in the 1970s, but quickly came under pressure for articles critical of first Jomo Kenyatta
's, and (after 1978), Daniel arap Moi
's governments. Lone was founding editor of Viva, a women's magazine in Kenya. When his editorials ran afoul of the Moi government, he was jailed, stripped of his Kenyan citizenship, and exiled to the United States in 1982. He moved to New York City
where he began working for the UN and editing the Africa Emergency Report. Promised a safe return home in 1986, Lone came to Nairobi but was again arrested by the Kenyan government stripped of his citizenship and charged with "acts or words which show disloyalty or disaffection to Kenya." Public and United Nations' pressure caused the Kenyan government to drop these charges.
headquarters. His last assignment was as spokesman for the UN mission in Iraq immediately after the US-led 2003 war and occupation. He was wounded the 19 August 2003 blast
at the UN Baghdad
headquarters which killed UN special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello
.
After his retirement from the United Nations, Lone returned to Kenya, working as a columnist for the Daily Nation
in Nairobi
, and contributing to The Guardian
and The Independent
of London
.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. In 2007, Lone became communications director of the Kenyan opposition Orange Democratic Movement
Orange Democratic Movement
Orange Democratic Movement refers to a political party in Kenya, which is the successor of a former grassroots people's movement which was formed in the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum. The erstwhile single party which separated in August 2007 into two...
(ODM) led by 2008 coalition Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Raila Odinga
Raila Amollo Odinga , also popularly known to Kenyans as Agwambo, is a Kenyan politician, currently serving as the Prime Minister of Kenya in a coalition government. He has served as a Member of Parliament for Langata since 1992, was Minister of Energy from 2001 to 2002, and was Minister of Roads,...
. He is a columnist for the Daily Nation
Daily Nation
The Daily Nation is a Kenyan independent newspaper. It is the most influential newspaper in Kenya with a daily circulation of about 205,000 copies. The total readership is likely to be higher as each copy is read by a large number of people...
in his native Kenya, and also writes regularly for The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
in the UK.
Early career and exile
A Kenyan of IndianIndians in Kenya
There are currently over 100,000 Indians in Kenya, most living in the major urban areas of Nairobi and Mombasa with others living in rural areas. Most are Hindus and with some Muslims, often with their own businesses and places of worship...
descent, whose great-grandfather was the first family member to migrate to East Africa from Jhelum, in what is now the Pakistani province of Punjab, Lone attended Duke of Gloucester (Now Jamhuri High
Jamhuri High School
Jamhuri High School, formerly known as Government Indian School and later The Duke of Gloucester School, is one of the oldest schools in Kenya. It was founded as a Railway Educational Centre in 1906...
) School in Nairobi and then Kenyon College
Kenyon College
Kenyon College is a private liberal arts college in Gambier, Ohio, founded in 1824 by Bishop Philander Chase of The Episcopal Church, in parallel with the Bexley Hall seminary. It is the oldest private college in Ohio...
in the United States during the 1960s. Returning to Kenya he began his career in publishing and journalism in the 1970s, but quickly came under pressure for articles critical of first Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyattapron.] served as the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation....
's, and (after 1978), Daniel arap Moi
Daniel arap Moi
Daniel Toroitich arap Moi was the President of Kenya from 1978 until 2002.Daniel arap Moi is popularly known to Kenyans as 'Nyayo', a Swahili word for 'footsteps'...
's governments. Lone was founding editor of Viva, a women's magazine in Kenya. When his editorials ran afoul of the Moi government, he was jailed, stripped of his Kenyan citizenship, and exiled to the United States in 1982. He moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he began working for the UN and editing the Africa Emergency Report. Promised a safe return home in 1986, Lone came to Nairobi but was again arrested by the Kenyan government stripped of his citizenship and charged with "acts or words which show disloyalty or disaffection to Kenya." Public and United Nations' pressure caused the Kenyan government to drop these charges.
United Nations
Salim Lone rose to become Director of the News and Media Division (1998–2003) during his 21-year career at United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
headquarters. His last assignment was as spokesman for the UN mission in Iraq immediately after the US-led 2003 war and occupation. He was wounded the 19 August 2003 blast
Canal Hotel Bombing
The Canal Hotel Bombing in Baghdad, Iraq, in the afternoon of August 19, 2003, killed at least 22 people, including the United Nations' Special Representative in Iraq Sérgio Vieira de Mello, and wounded over 100. The blast targeted the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq created just 5 days...
at the UN Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
headquarters which killed UN special representative Sergio Vieira de Mello
Sérgio Vieira de Mello
Sérgio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian United Nations employee who worked for the UN for more than 34 years, earning respect and praise around the world for his efforts in the humanitarian and political programs of the UN...
.
After his retirement from the United Nations, Lone returned to Kenya, working as a columnist for the Daily Nation
Daily Nation
The Daily Nation is a Kenyan independent newspaper. It is the most influential newspaper in Kenya with a daily circulation of about 205,000 copies. The total readership is likely to be higher as each copy is read by a large number of people...
in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, and contributing to The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
and The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.
Kenyan political spokesperson
In late 2007, Lone became communications director for the ODM, but in February 2008 it was reported that he briefly fled the country, fearing government repression. As of April 2008, he remains the spokesperson of the ODM. He subsequently resigned in September 2008 to spend time with his family.External links
- byliner.com List of articles by Salim Lone.
- Salim Lone's columns at the Guardian.
- US/Ethiopian invasion of Somalia (Video), 2007
- Destabilizing the Horn, January 22, 2007.
- The Real Crisis in Uganda, 2006.
- The Lost Indians of Kenya, Salim Lone, New York Times Review of Books, Volume 17, Number 5 · October 7, 1971.