Narc denies fresh bid to lock out Kethi

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PHOTO | DENISH OCHIENG Jubilee’s Prof Philip Kaloki and Cord’s Kethi Kilonzo at the Milimani courts on July 6, 2013 during the hearing of petitions challenging their eligibility for the Makueni senate by-election.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

By LUCAS BARASA lbarassa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, July 14   2013 at  23:30

The National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) has disassociated itself from those questioning lawyer Kethi Kilonzo’s academic qualifications.

Narc secretary general Fidelis Nguli said the party had nothing to do with a letter written to the University of Nairobi demanding information over alleged recall of Ms Kilonzo’s academic certificates after the council realised it had awarded her a Master of Laws “irregularly”.

Mr Nguli said the personalised attacks on Ms Kilonzo could affect Narc candidate, Prof Philip Kaloki’s, campaigns for the Makueni senate seat.

“We are not part of those trying to find out about Kethi’s degree. As a party we did not sanction the letter to the university. We have started our campaigns and the persistent attacks could be prejudicial to our candidate. Locals could accuse us of witch hunt,” he told theNation by phone.

On Sunday, it was reported that lawyers representing Narc and former Kibwezi MP Agnes Ndetei had demanded information about Ms Kilonzo’s academic certificates.

“The specific information we require are copies of all correspondences between the University of Nairobi and Ms Diana Kethi Kilonzo regarding the recall of the Masters in Law degree which was irregularly awarded to Ms Kilonzo,” wrote Mr Alphonce Mutinda, the party’s lawyer.

The party alleged that it had “credible information” that Ms Kilonzo’s law degree was taken away after the university council realised it had erroneously given it to her.

It is not clear when the council cancelled the academic certificate but the lawyer and Ms Ndetei on Saturday claimed there had been an investigation into Ms Kilonzo’s testimonials before the university decided to cancel it.

University of Nairobi School of Law dean Patricia Kameri-Mbote could neither confirm nor deny there had been such an investigation but said she had to check with records at the office.

Last week, the electoral commission ruled that Ms Kilonzo, who had been cleared to run on Wiper ticket, was not a registered voter and subsequently disqualified her from the senatorial race.