Human rights agencies fault Gov’t over Miguna case

Officials from Human Rights agencies have condemned how the government is handling the Miguna Miguna deportation case.

The Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR), the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) said it is illegal to deny and frustrate any Kenyan who is a citizen by birth.

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

She expressed the agency’s disapproval of the State’s disregard of the rule of law and urged the Executive to lead by example.

This comes after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet ignored court summons and were found guilty of contempt.

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

She further appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to take advantage of the unity deal between him and Opposition leader Raila Odinga, to avoid a situation where the Judiciary is besieged by the Executive.

Ms. Chiggai reiterated that the deportation of fiery lawyer general Miguna Miguna is illegal and the State should handle his case with dignity.

Media council boss Victor Bwire also lambasted the government for the assault on journalists who were covering the arrival of Miguna at the airport.

According to him, they were not a threat to security but were carrying out their mandate, that is to inform and educate the public as stated in the Media Council Act.