Aden Osman answered Kenyatta’s Jubaland taunt by backing self-determination for both peoples

Evidence

Kenyatta’s plea to Aden [Osman] [to keep the Somali territory where it was] hinged on the fact that Kenya [is] composed of many ethnic and tribal groupings cutting across boundaries with Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania as well as with Somalia. Proceeding on [the] basis [of] ethnic affiliation would disrupt integrity of Kenya and threaten its very existence. In rebutting this argument [for division by ethnic affiliation], Aden made [the] point that tribal groups other than Somalis seemed to be satisfied with their lot and therefore no question of destroying integrity of Kenya arises. Furthermore, he reasserted that Somalis were more than a tribe, they were a nation. At this juncture, Kenyatta referred to that part of Somalia once known as [Jubaland] which [was] once part of Kenya and had been ceded by British to Italians following World War I. How would Aden, feel if [the] Kenyan Government were to demand return of this territory? Aden sailed into this one like a practiced negotiator, saying I am glad you asked that question. He for his part would be delighted to see [Northern Frontier District] and [Jubaland] territories handled in exactly [the] same fashion, that is, giving people of each area free opportunity to express their wishes on a self-determination basis. … Osman’s apt response, showing confidence in the population’s democratic right and the Somali Republic’s willingness to respect their wishes, became a challenge to which President Kenyatta could not respond. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 1087