Njenga: Ruto, Uhuru fanning ethnic animosity

By David Ochami

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga has accused Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto of promoting ethnic hatred.

"We shall not take oaths again," Njenga told hundreds of former Mungiki adherents at a church event in Nairobi and added "we oppose these tribal organisations because we want Kenya to prosper."

Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga (right) prays for Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi in Nairobi, on Sunday. [PHOTO: COLLINS KWEYU/STANDARD]

Njenga was referring to Kamatusa and Gema associations.

Said he: "These alliances will cause something bigger than what happened in 2007."

He criticised a call by some Kalenjin leaders that international athletes from the tribe should boycott London Olympics to protest Ruto’s indictment by the International Criminal Court. "Kamatusa has urged athletes not to compete. We urge them to continue. It is their talent and that is how they earn their living."

Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi and Orange Democratic Movement politician Aburi Mpuri, who accompanied Njenga also opposed the revival of Gema and Kamatusa movements.

Linturi said intention of leaders behind the organisations is "to divide Kenyans" and announced he will join Njenga for a meeting in Limuru on April 18, to establish "an alternative leadership" for Kenya.

Gema has planned meeting at the venue on the same day.

The former Mungiki leader had a specific message for Uhuru asking him to "tell his people to stop harassing the youth" without elaborating and urged the Gatundu South MP who wants to be president to "seek votes from all Kenyans."

"We oppose these people who claim to be Gema leaders. They are from the church and Government," said Njenga as he demanded that Central Kenya leaders should allow local residents to exercise free choice in politics.

Political direction

Njenga attacked retired church leaders who have attended and prayed at Gema and Kamatusa meetings accusing them of stoking tribal hatred.

He said violence and coercion have determined political direction in Central Province.

"We are tired of killings in Central Province and Kenya. Let people make free choice." Njenga also claimed his opponents have hired 20 men to harm him so that he can stop speaking "the truth" and announced he will attend the April 18, meeting planned by Gema leaders in Limuru.

According to Njenga, he was barred from addressing the last Gema meeting in Limuru with the excuse that "I was too young to talk before elders" but warned that on April 18, he would be ready for his critics.

"They are trying to threaten me. There are 20 people following me. They want to know where I sleep, what I eat and where I go. I have their names," Njenga said without naming the alleged plotters after him.

Njenga said leaders ought to overcome tribal thinking of yesteryear and embrace the rest of the country. He claimed he has morphed from a leader gripped in tribal custom into a nationalist with a Christian and global outlook that should be emulated by Central Kenya people.