Muthama records statement over controversial utterances

Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama is currently at Nairobi County Police Headquarters to record a statement over his controversial utterances Wednesday.

Muthama arrived at the station a few minutes before noon accompanied by Opposition Leader Raila Odinga, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale among others.

This comes a day after Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery ordered the CORD senator to record a statement with CID over his utterances during the Uhuru Park Nairobi Cord Rally.

Nkaissery also directed National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to probe him over claims of incitement and disrespect to the President and  Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

On Wednesday, during a CORD rally in solidarity with the striking teachers, Senator Muthama allegedly attacked President Uhuru Kenyatta and CS Anne Waiguru verbally, something that has elicited mixed reactions from the opposing political factions with the CORD coalition supporting him while the ruling Jubilee side calling for his immediate arrest.

Muthama, who is known for making blunt remarks against the Kenyatta administration, has been accused of insulting the Office of the President as well as the person of the Head of State.

According to the letter signed by Nkaissery from Texas, U.S., “Mr. Muthama has made a habit of verbally attacking state officers in a manner that is intended to undermine cohesion and national unity for political gain”.

The letter read in part: “Such conduct should not be confused for the rights of expression that every Kenyan is guaranteed. It is, therefore, imperative that investigations into the speech and its intent begin in earnest.”

The Interior CS further directed that the Senator records a statement with the Criminal Investigations Department.

Nkaissery said that Muthama is being investigated for five counts including pronouncements that call for unconstitutional change of government, calling Kenyans to violence, and readiness to “die to defend their rights”. Nkaissery says this call is extremely serious because it contravenes the basic tenets of the constitution.

Muthama is said to have termed Waiguru as President Kenyatta’s favourite CS despite being embroiled in graft allegations in the National Youth Service where over Ksh 700 million was lost through questionable procurement process.

Muthama is also accused of alleging that the CS has an affair with the Head of State and called for her removal from office.