Muslim group defends PM over Balala sacking

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Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (KMNAC) chairman Sheikh Ngao defended over the sacking of Tourism minister Najib Balala saying the move was long overdue March 28, 2012. FILE 

By LUCAS BARASA
Posted  Wednesday, March 28  2012 at  13:04

A group of Muslims have defended Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the sacking of Tourism minister Najib Balala saying the move was long overdue.

The Kenya Muslims National Advisory Council (KMNAC) further said Muslims had not met anywhere and resolved to cut links with Mr Odinga or any other leader as claimed by National Muslims Leaders Forum and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya.

Speaking to the Nation by phone from Naivasha, KMNAC chairman Sheikh Juma Ngao said Muslims countrywide had benefited little from Mr Balala’s ministerial position and from nominated MP Sheikh Dor who got the positions following an MOU between the community and Mr Odinga.

“Those criticising Mr Odinga for sacking Mr Balala and claiming Muslims have severed links with the PM are propagating their own selfish interests.

"Their views do not represent those of 10.5 million Muslims in the country. Muslims have never converged and said they hate Mr Odinga or any other leader. It is not true that Muslims have withdrawn support for Mr Odinga,” Sheikh Ngao said.

Sheikh Ngao said the MOU reached between certain Muslim groups with Mr Odinga prior to 2007 elections was "for their own benefit".

“We should differentiate between Islam, Muslims and Muslim groups. Balala’s ministerial position did not benefit Muslims in Turkana, Marakwet, Nakuru or Taita. Individuals who want elective positions should vie on their own without dragging the whole religious community,” Sheikh Ngao said.

Sheikh Ngao said Mr Balala prompted his own sacking by announcing four years ago that ODM was dictatorial and that he will form his party, a thing that he repeated two weeks ago.

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“Mr Odinga was only making Mr Balala’s resignation from a position reserved for an ODM minister official through writing so that the Mvita MP could have ample time to form his own party,” Sheikh Ngao said.

He said Muslim leaders should learn from Christians who did not cry foul following the removal of Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Gatundu South MP Uhuru Kenyatta and the suspension of Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey from Cabinet.

“We should stop mixing religion with politics. Those who want to join politics should face the electorate and campaign. Muslims are free to elect anybody,” Sheikh Ngao said.

On Tuesday, Namlef organising secretary Sheikh Mohammed Khalifa said the sacking of Balala is a breach of the agreement signed between the organisation and Mr Odinga.