Kenyan clergy condemn Miguna deportation

The head of the Anglican Church of Kenya has condemned the manner in which the State handled Miguna Miguna’s return to Kenya.

Speaking at All Saints Cathedral on Good Friday, Archbishop Jackson ole Sapit faulted the government for denying the fiery lawyer a chance to appear in court to resolve the matter in line with the Constitution.

He also took a swipe at the three senior State officials who defied court orders, saying the move is setting a poor precedence for other leaders and wananchi in general.

The Anglican leader however lauded the unity deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Opposition leader Raila Odinga saying the needs of Kenyans must always be put first.

Other clergy who expressed similar sentiments include Fr. Timothy Kiplagat of Eldoret Catholic Church and Rev. Tom Nyawanga of AIC Fellowship Annex.

According to Fr. Kiplagat, claims by the Immigration Department that Miguna is not a Kenyan citizen are misleading because he was cleared to vie for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in the 2017 elections.

Rev. Nyawanga on his part said the mishandling of Miguna at JKIA portrayed the government in a negative light internationally.

They urged political leaders to unite and stop endless bickering as it affects development and divides Kenyans.

Their sentiments come in the wake of Miguna’s detention at the JKIA and subsequent deportation to Dubai, a move that has elicited mixed reactions from across the country.

They join a team of three human rights agencies that recently also decried Miguna’s airport scuffle.

The Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR), the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) termed the deportation as illegal.

“Citizenship by birth is irrevocable but can be done only if the person is willing,” KNCHR chair Kagwiria Mbogori said.

LSK vice chair Harriet Chiggai also chimed in saying national values and the spirit of the Constitution must be adhered to irregardless of which position one holds in society.

Additional reporting by By John Wanyama