Senator Muthama records statement over alleged hate speech

Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has recorded a statement with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over his utterances during a pro-teachers’ strike rally at Uhuru Park.

The rally, organised by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) was held to support teachers demand for a 50 to 60 per cent increment as awarded by the Employment and Labour Relations Court in June this year.

In his remarks, that have been described as indelicate, Muthama questioned government’s willingness to deal with graft saying there had been lenience in the handling of corruption allegations against Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

Waiguru has been linked with graft claims at the National Youth Service which saw the ministry lose Ksh 791 million through fraudulent transactions.

The Devolution CS has come forward to admit that there had been irregular dealings at the ministry that led to the loss of the money.

Waiguru said that recommendations made after an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations had called for the prosecution of 21 officials among them NYS Senior Deputy Director Adan Harakhe, four officials from the devolution ministry and others from NYS over fraud.

Waiguru promised to submit the report to the Ministerial Human Resource Advisory Committee for relevant action.

Muthama’s remarks were echoed by CORD principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka who called for the prosecution of Waiguru over the allegations.

Speaking at the rally, Odinga dared Waiguru to take him to court for linking him to the allegations saying he is ready for a court battle.

“Recently Waiguru threatened to go to court for my earlier pronouncements linking her to corruption. It is clear that the truth has finally come out,” Odinga stated.

He said he has evidence that links Waiguru to corruption at the National Youth Service (NYS) adding that he is ready to face the CS in court.

But it is Muthama’s off-colour remarks that have aroused interest from investigating bodies, Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and Inspector General of Police.

Muthama presented himself at the DCI on Friday but failed to record a statement saying he does not know the charges being levelled against him.

Like was the case on Friday, Muthama was accompanied by his lawyer John Khaminwa and Kisumu Senator James Orengo among others when he appeared at the DCI today.

CORD co-principal and FORD Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula was also present.

The teachers’ salary impasse has plunged the country’s education sector into a state of disorientation with teachers deciding to go on strike until the pay rise is effected.

In protest, the teachers’ employer, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), has moved to court to block the awarding of the salary increment and have the court declare the ruling unconstitutional.

Both President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have come out clear to state the government’s inability to effect the pay rise due to a bloated wage bill, calling for teachers to put the interest of children first.

Teachers unions, Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) and Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet), have however vowed to defy government’s directive and stay away from class until the court order is implemented.