PS Sing’oei calls out Somalia Embassy over upside-down Kenyan flag in apology address

Somali's Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim flanked by other officials address the press at the Embassy on September 24, 2025/X

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has weighed in on the diplomatic storm sparked by Somalia’s apology over the desecration of the Kenya flag, after the gesture of reconciliation was marred by yet another misstep.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei Thursday acknowledged Somalia’s apology but pointedly noted that the Somali Embassy in Nairobi had mounted the Kenyan flag upside down during the address.

“Thanks for this apology, Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim, but looks like you have a missed call from Kenyans on the positioning of the Kenyan flag,” Sing’oei posted on X.

“I appreciate your giving this matter your courteous consideration.”

Photo Somalia's Ambassador Jabril Ibrahim with another official standing next to an inverted Kenyan flag during a presser at the Embassy on September 24, 2025/COURTESY

The gaffe came just days after videos went viral showing Mogadishu City club fans kicking, trampling, and rubbing the Kenyan flag against their bodies during a CAF Champions League clash against Kenya Police FC at Nyayo National Stadium on September 20.

The incident provoked widespread outrage among Kenyans.

In his statement of regret, Ambassador Jabril condemned the incident, saying the behavior of “a few individuals” did not represent Somali values or the strong ties between Nairobi and Mogadishu.

“Today we welcomed Mogadishu City club to our Embassy in Nairobi. Their spirit reflects the dreams of Somali youth and the power of sportsmanship,” Jabril wrote on X on September 24.

“We regret and firmly condemn the actions of a few individuals whose behavior has overshadowed the remarkable performance of both teams.”

The envoy hailed Kenya’s role in supporting Somali athletes and reaffirmed that relations between the two countries remain anchored in trade, education, security, and cultural exchange.

But instead of calming tensions, the upside-down flag display overshadowed the apology, drawing sharp criticism from Kenyans online.

In international protocol, an inverted flag is a distress signal, and many Kenyans interpreted it as a fresh insult.

“First they desecrate the flag, then they apologise with it upside down. Is this really an apology?” one user posted.

Another remarked: “Do we assume even the ambassador couldn’t recognise the flag was upside down?”

The controversy has clouded earlier efforts by the Mogadishu City club itself to distance the team from its supporters’ actions.

The club had issued its own apology, calling the behavior “unacceptable” and pledging to cooperate with any disciplinary action.