‘Where Did You Get Them?’ Somali Backlash Over Kenyan Man’s Frankincense Seedlings

A Kenyan man has sparked outrage among some Somalis after announcing the sale of frankincense seedlings in Kenya following a trip to Puntland, Somalia, where he said he surveyed ancient frankincense trees.

Thiong’o Wa Gachie published the post on Friday, August 28, 2026, saying he had travelled to Puntland the previous year to study frankincense trees in the Bali Mountains.

He subsequently announced that frankincense seedlings were available for sale in Kenya, prompting some Somali social media users to question the purpose of his visit and the origin of the seedlings.

“Last year I travelled to Puntland, Somalia to the heart of Frankicense production on Bali Mountains at the most eastern part of Africa; the horn of Africa. The mission was to do a survey on boswelia/frankicense trees. The trees we surveyed are over 200 years old and passed on from the generation to the next,” he wrote.

Thiong’o then announced that the frankincense seedlings were available at Ksh 500 and invited interested buyers to contact him through WhatsApp.

“I’m now excited to announce that frankicense seedlings are now available in Kenya at only Kes 500. For orders whatsapp me +254717735165,” he stated.

The announcement attracted criticism from some Somali commenters, who questioned whether the frankincense seedlings had any connection to the trees Thiong’o surveyed in Puntland.

Others asked whether he had received permission to conduct the survey and whether he collected seeds, cuttings or other genetic material during his visit.

Thiong’o Clarifies Frankincense Seedlings Origin

Amid the backlash, Thiong’o issued a clarification on Saturday, August 29, 2026, denying that he collected or exported any seeds, cuttings, specimens or genetic resources from Puntland or Somalia.

Instead, he said the frankincense seedlings belong specifically to Boswellia neglecta and come from Marsabit County in northern Kenya.

“The Frankincense seedlings currently being promoted and sold in Kenya belong strictly to the species Boswellia neglecta. These seedlings are sourced locally from Marsabit County in Northern Kenya and are fully propagated and managed in partnership with the African Agency for Arid Resources Ltd (AGAR Ltd) Agar Ltd an established Kenyan enterprise operating under verified ethical bio-trade and chain-of-custody protocols,” read part of the statement.

Furthermore, Thiong’o said his Puntland trip focused solely on observation and academic research, strongly rejecting claims that he removed natural resources from Somalia.

“My recent trip to the Puntland region was solely an observational field survey and academic research study on indigenous trees. At no point were any seeds, cuttings, specimens, or genetic resources collected, harvested, or exported from Puntland or Somalia. Claims of biopiracy or unauthorized removal of natural resources are completely false, unfounded, and defamatory,” he stated.

He also said documentation could verify the Kenyan origin of the frankincense seedlings.

“Full documentation, verified chain-of-custody records, and legal compliance frameworks confirming the Kenyan origin of our Boswellia neglecta stock are intact and available through legitimate official channels” he added.

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Somalis Demand Documentation

Despite the clarification, some commenters continued to seek evidence supporting Thiong’o’s claims.

In particular, they wanted documents showing where the frankincense seedlings originated and whether he secured the necessary authorisation for his Puntland research.

Ahmed Haji Adam said the clarification alone could not settle the matter.

“I understand your clarification, but this matter cannot be resolved through statements alone. If the Boswellia neglecta seedlings genuinely originated from Marsabit, Kenya, please provide the relevant documents and chain-of-custody records verifying their origin,” he stated.

He also asked Thiong’o to clarify who authorised the research and called for the matter to be examined by relevant Puntland authorities.

Meanwhile, Cabdalla Bidhaan questioned the purpose of the survey and Thiong’o’s interest in the ancient trees.

“Hi Thiong’o Wa Gachie, I don’t understand why are you creating all this noise. Your post itself is very unclear and raises many questions. Based on what you have written, anyone would naturally ask these simple questions: What exactly was the purpose of your visit? Why were you particularly interested in surveying these ancient frankincense trees, and who gave you permission to conduct that survey?,” he asked.

Some Defend Thiong’o

However, some defended Thiong’o and welcomed the possibility of propagating frankincense seedlings.

Mohamed Aden Dubad said some Somalis were happy to learn that the tree could be propagated.

“Don’t only look at the negative people pro. A lot of somalis are happy on knowing the fact that this tree can be propagated,” he wrote.

Similarly, Adam Yare apologised for the online attacks against Thiong’o and acknowledged concerns surrounding natural resources.

“Sorry for the online attacks you are facing. I was surprised to see how much your post was reshared and reacted to. Somali people are naturally very protective of their resources. Hopefully this clears things up,” he wrote.

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Thiong’o Condemns Alleged Death Threats

Meanwhile, Thiong’o said the controversy had escalated beyond criticism, alleging that some individuals had harassed him, made defamatory statements and issued direct death threats.

“While I remain open to constructive dialogue and lawful regulatory inquiry, I strongly condemn the escalating harassment, defamatory statements, and direct death threats issued against me by certain individuals online. Incitement to violence and death threats are serious criminal offenses,” he stated.

Thiong’o maintains that the frankincense seedlings being sold in Kenya originated from Marsabit County and that he did not collect them from Puntland.

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A photo of Thiong’o Wa Gachie during his visit to Puntland, Somalia for a survey in 2025. PHOTO/ Thiong’o Wa Gachie Facebook.