Miguna flies out as fire rages

Miguna flies out as fire rages

Related News

·       Former aide’s brother seeks protection

·       Bett to sue Miguna over death claim

·       Villagers burn Miguna's effigy

·       Miguna storm

SHARE THIS STORY

Updated 7 hrs 38 mins ago

By Standard Team

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s former aide Miguna Miguna lit a fire, and then left for Canada where he lived for two decades as the PM travelled to China.

As Miguna sent out hard-hitting messages to his critics, either enroute or having landed in Canada with his two daughters, his kinsmen in Nyando burnt his effigy, and threatened to overrun his home.

The towering lawyer left his Runda home with his daughters and luggage on Monday afternoon for the Jomo Kenyatta International where he boarded an Amsterdam-bound British Airways flight.

Coincidentally, Miguna and Raila left the country at about the same time, with the former heading East, while the latter headed West to Canada.

Police officers visited Miguna’s home in the morning seeking to take a statement from him over claims against Raila over alleged involvement in post-election violence. It was, however, curious that the police were looking for Miguna in Runda when he had checked in at the JKIA, filled up his immigration forms, underwent security screening, and even sat in the waiting bay, in full glare of airport cameras and security officers.

The police left Miguna’s home after a woman in the house told them he left the country the previous evening.

ODM Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo later claimed Miguna left under police and Government protection when they should have arrested and charged him with making what he called false and defamatory claims against Raila.

 “When he was leaving, CID and intelligence officers knew he enjoyed VIP treatment and that is why they did not arrest him, which reminds us of the Artur brothers saga,” said Midiwo.

But independent sources told The Standard Miguna did not have any special security at the airport, and was seen making last-minute flight booking for one of his daughters.

In Nyando, his family members claimed hired thugs were planning to attack them.

In the morning about 200 people demonstrated in Miguna’s hometown, Ahero, Kisumu County, claiming he had betrayed them. They later burnt his effigy after they were stopped from entering his home.

Earlier, when The Standard visited the home only Miguna’s brother, Erick Ondiek Miguna, was present.  He claimed to have received information that some people were planning to attack him.

“We hear demonstrators are to proceed to our home and burn houses as a show of solidarity against my brother Miguna Miguna. I don’ know what is wrong with these people. I am not Miguna Miguna. I don’t even want to be a politician. Why do they have to threaten me? I am a humble Kenyan, who is loyal to the Government,” he said.

He reported the threat to Nyando DC and the OCPD who promised to send security officers for his protection.

Later the protesters, led by Nyando MP, Fred Outa, made a coffin from old cartons and an effigy of Miguna, which they carried along the road before burning it at the Ahero junction.

“Miguna is below Nyando. Miguna belongs to Mathare,” read a placard.

The ‘coffin’ that had a red cross over it had an inscription, “R.I.P Miguna’. The demonstrators gave armed police hectic time to control the traffic along the Kisumu-Nairobi highway.

“Wanego Miguna kawuono (Luo for ‘We have killed Miguna today). He has been a bad child of the village who does not obey his people. We are fed up with him,” said a demonstrator who identified himself as Ochieng’.

The protesters started the demonstration in Ahero town, towards Kisumu and then back to Ahero where the MP addressed them before they proceeded to Ahero junction to burn the effigy.

Before burning them, they staged a traditional celebration tero buru, which is normally performed when the community is chasing away bad spirits, mostly ones that they believe death.

Outa addressed the demonstrators at the Nyando ODM office located in the heart of Ahero town.  With group elders, they ‘cursed’ the spirits of Miguna in Nyando District.

“We curse Miguna’s spirits to go to hell. Miguna has bad intention for Raila. Whatever he wants to do, Raila is the next president of the Republic of Kenya,” he said amid cheers from the demonstrators.

The elders and some civic leaders who carried the Luo traditional clubs, lined in front of the ODM office as the ‘coffin’ was placed before them.

“We don’t support him at. We need a man who respects his people. Miguna is not a respectful son,” said Mzee Adhiambo Lomo.

The area OCPD Patrick Mbarire said: “Security is fine. Some of the claims are about security of the brother, but we are here to save the situation.”

However, Outa dismissed claims some youths were planning to attack Miguna’s brother. “We have no problem with the family at home. No one is planning to do that. Our peaceful demonstration was in Ahero, and it ended there,” he said.

Imenti Central Gitobu Imanyara later said he wants the country that would offer Miguna asylum to hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to give evidence on the 2008 post-election violence.

The MP said it is the obligation of any State Party to co-operate with the ICC in administering justice to suspects and victims.

“Those countries giving this fugitive asylum should co-operate, just as they have been calling for Kenya’s co-operation. Miguna also released a lengthy critique of Raila’s development record in his Langata constituency, where he charged drug abuse; unemployment, poor hygiene, and abortion were routine.

Assistant minister Ayiecho Olweny termed Miguna as a ‘mad man’ unworthy of public sympathy.

The Muhoroni MP said: “What is contained in that book are the same old stories that we have heard people talk about. But the zeal with which he said them just shows how desperate he is.”

 “Some of us know what Miguna did in Canada before he came back here. I used to get e-mails in 2007 on the things he did. We know them, but we don’t have time to discuss such,” he said.

He asked Kenyans to treat the book with the contempt it deserves. “As ODM we are not moved at all by the book and its contents. Kenyans know Raila’s track record on development and his fight against corruption and such literature will not deter him from achieving his goals,” he said.