MACHAGE'S PROBLEMS CONTINUE

Suspended assistant minister Wilfred Machage’s woes look far from over.

The Democratic Party has now called a meeting on Tuesday next week to discuss his conduct in light of accusations of hate speech and subsequent suspension.

National vice-chairman Rishad Amana Friday said that he would raise the matter of the chairman’s conduct during the monthly National Executive Council even though it was initially part of the agenda.

Speaking to the Nation in Nairobi, Mr Amana said Mr Machage’s link to hate speech had nothing to do with DP and that he will face disciplinary action if NEC decides.

Taint party

“The inflammatory remarks he is said to have issued have tainted the party. As the official in-charge of discipline in the party we are going to discuss it and decide on a way forward. May be DP will suspend him,” Mr Amana who headed a panel that kicked out former DP secretary general George Nyamweya from the party for joining PNU, said.

Mr Machage who is the DP chairman spent Tuesday night in police custody and was charged in a court with hate speech on Wednesday. President Kibaki then suspended him as an assistant minister on Thursday until the courts clear him of any wrongdoing.

Mr Amana said it is wrong for any leader to issue statements that could incite Kenyans against each other at a time when the country was still reeling from the effects of 2007 post election chaos.

“As a party we are for peaceful co-existence of all Kenyans regardless of tribe, religion or race. As a leader Mr Machage should show a good example. As DP we will discipline a member who goes against the party ideals,” Mr Amana said.

Spared

Mr Amana, who is also the chairman of Muslim Youth of Kenya, hailed the National Cohesion and Integration Commission’s efforts to punish leaders who engage in hate speech adding that no one regardless of position in society should be spared.

The DP vice-chairman also took issue with Higher Education minister William Ruto’s remarks that the proposed constitution would cause conflict between Muslims and Christians.

“The remarks are tantamount to preaching religious hatred. There’s no way the proposed constitution can lead Kenyans to fight on religious lines. The kadhi courts which are being opposed by some Christians have been with us since independence,” Mr Amana said.

He said Muslims have no confidence in Mr Ruto “as he seems to be out to use the constitution to divide Muslims and Christians for his own selfish political benefit and to settle scores with Prime Minister Raila Odinga ahead of 2012 elections".

“We know if Mr Odinga could have been in the No team Mr Ruto could now be busy campaigning for the passage of proposed constitution as it is,” Mr Amana said.

He also accused some Church leaders of creating animosity between Christians and Muslims.