Comedian Nasra has used her unique brand of humor to shed light on a controversial and outdated statement made by a local leader in Garissa. In a video that recently resurfaced online, the Garissa elder sparked outrage when he warned Somali girls against riding boda bodas, threatening punishment for both women passengers and their riders.
The politician, who was addressing the public in Garissa, stated: "From today, we will not allow a woman who is a Somali or a Muslim, to board a boda boda. If she is caught boarding a boda boda at the back, she and the rider should be caned. Because we do not allow it completely."
The remarks have caused a stir on social media, but none more so than in the world of comedy. Nasra, known for her sharp wit and fearless commentary on social issues, wasted no time trolling the local elder in her signature style.
Through an online video she posted on her socials, Nasra mockingly reenacted the elder's speech, adding her own exaggerated flair to the situation with an accompanying message to Somali elders asking them to use their influence in the society to help curb issues affecting the community.
"Rather than threatening women over THEIR CHOICE of transport, our esteemed elders should use their voices and influence to address real issues within the community. Issues like forced marriages-just last week, 17-year-old Gacal Adan Abdi lost her life after being married off to a 55-year-old man without her consent. He abused and ultimately killed her," she posted.
She further added that if the intent behind that statement was truly to preserve the dignity and honor of Somali women, then it should be all hands on board.
"Let's protect their dignity in situations that genuinely endanger them. Imagine if our men directed such threats at real culprits, wouldn't it at least strike fear in their hearts? And maybe, just maybe, reduce the harm they inflict?" she added.
Nasra's response isn't just about mockery, though. As she has done throughout her career, she uses humor to challenge negative stereotypes about the Somali community and push back against outdated societal norms.
In a previous interview with BBC, Nasra shared how she employs comedy as a tool to break down the stereotypes often associated with Somalis. "I use jokes to kill the stereotypes associated with us Somalis," she said, adding that humor has the power to create meaningful change by highlighting absurdities like those seen in the Garissa elder's remarks.
The video has since been used as more young Somali ladies have been reenacting the elder's speech.
