Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Miguna fights back, denies fleeing country


Miguna fights back, denies fleeing country

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Miguna Miguna during the launch of his book titled 'Peeling Back the Mask' at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi on July 14, 2012. PHOTO/ SALATON NJAU
Miguna Miguna during the launch of his book titled 'Peeling Back the Mask' at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi on July 14, 2012. PHOTO/ SALATON NJAU 
By ZADDOCK ANGIRA
Posted  Wednesday, July 18  2012 at  12:19
Former Prime Minister’s aide Miguna Miguna has dismissed reports that he fled the country because of law suits and potential arrest.
Miguna, who left the country on Monday night, said that by the time he left Kenya, he had not been served with any legal notices or law suits.
“In any event, neither could have prevented me from traveling,” he said in statement released on Wednesday.
Miguna said that he is in Canada with his family to enjoy what he termed ‘a much-deserved and pre-planned summer holiday.’
He added that they booked their flights on May 24 and boarded their flight at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on July 16 like other passengers.
Miguna said that he was scheduled back to Kenya on or about August 18 when his family holiday and publicity tour of his book ends, adding that on arrival he will issue a comprehensive statement on some of the issues that have been raised in the media in recent days over his book.
“Until then, I will enjoy my working holiday with my family,” he said.
He said that having practiced law for more than 15 years, he could not run away from a lawsuit, nor be scared of the DPP’s directions to the police to record his statement.
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Miguna once again hit out at DPP Keriako Tobiko, saying he has no mandate on cases relating to matters before the International Criminal Court.
Instead of issuing threats, he wants the DPP to provide him with protection under the Witness Protection Act.
He also termed Tobiko’s directions to the police boss as misguided and delusional political announcement.
“Threatening me over the media is a clear breach. Consequently, I will treat his politically motivated statement with the contempt it deserves,” said Miguna.
Miguna said that the burning of an effigy and the burying of a coffin symbolizing his death demonstrated “a level of intolerance, ignorance and base loyalty to certain political personages in a manner that could not be positive.”
Miguna blamed the PM for not openly calling for peaceful and reasoned debates on the book.
“Chillingly, as my effigy and ‘coffin’ were being burnt and buried in a mock funeral in Nyando by Raila’s fanatics, the Prime Minister failed to see the need to restrain his supporters,” he said.
“If he (Mr Odinga ) doesn’t like the audit, he must be prepared to cede ground and relinquish his political ambitions,” he said.
Miguna also said that he will take legal action against The Standard newspaper which purportedly published an article titled “Miguna answers Sarah Elderkin” on Tuesday.
He said the media house published a misleading and fake article and maliciously purported it to be his. He said he had not read the Sarah’s piece in the Daily Nation and definitely didn’t have the time the alleged response.
“By this statement, I would like to put The Standard newspaper on notice that I shall take appropriate legal action against it for this false and clearly malicious publication,” said Miguna.

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