Saturday, October 16, 2010

Machage still in the cold after suspension over ethnic slur


Dr Machage was accused of uttering words likely to stir ethnic hatred during the launch of the ‘No’ secretariat. Photo/FILE

By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU ashiundu@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Friday, October 15 2010 at 22:50

Dr Wilfred Machage, who has been suspended as an assistant minister since June, was the first in the coalition government to run afoul of the law.

His suspension was the second setback for he had been demoted from minister in charge of East Africa Community, to an assistant minister of Roads

At the height of the referendum campaigns in June, the Kuria MP faced four charges of incitement. President Kibaki suspended him, in a move that bouyed the country’s confidence in him as a leader determined to follow the rule of law.

Dr Machage was accused of uttering words likely to stir ethnic hatred during the launch of the ‘No’ secretariat at Nairobi’s Upper Hill earlier that month.

He was charged with saying: “Wamaasai chenu hakiko Rift Valley, mashamba yenu yote yateenda kwa serikali. (You Maasais, all your land in Rift Valley will be repossessed by the government).”

Dr Machage, who denied all the charges, was also accused of saying: “Wakikuyu wahame Rift Valley mahali kulimilikiwa na Wadorobo. (Kikuyus should leave Rift Valley, from land initially inhabited by the Dorobo).”

He was also accused of saying; “Nairobi tokeni hii ni shamba la Wamaasai. (Nairobians, this land belongs to the Maasai, get out).”

Dr Machage was finally accused of saying: “Wajaluo wahame shamba la Wakuria, hata tutatumia nguvu. (Luos should move out of the land of Kurias, we can even use force).”

He was charged alongside Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi and Cherengany’s Joshua Kutuny as well as political activist Christine Nyagitha Miller.

Dr Machage worked closely with Mr minister William Ruto in the ‘No’ camp during the referendum campaigns three months ago. This is not Mr Ruto’s first brush with suspension.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga had, on this year’s Valentine’s Day, sensationally announced that he had suspended Mr Ruto, then the Agriculture minister, to pave the way for corruption investigation.

But President Kibaki, who was squabbling with Mr Odinga at the time, overturned that decision because under the Constitution, he is the appointing authority with the powers to hire, fire and suspend.

All eyes are on the two principals to see if this time round, they’ll act in unison. Going by the Cabinet reshuffle that saw Mr Ruto moved from the plum Agriculture docket to the less glamorous Higher Education one, the odds for his suspension are against him.

The ruling comes in the wake of calls by Gichugu MP Martha Karua for the principals to act on leaders facing criminal charges.

Industry minister Henry Kosgey and Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula are also under pressure over the scandals in their dockets.

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