Threat on mps probed

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere has expressed concern over alleged death threats against a section of legislators and vowed to investigate the matter conclusively.

Mr Iteere said the matter was “not being taken lightly” and assured those who had already raised concerns over their personal safety to cooperate with the police.

He singled out the Imenti Central lawmaker Gitobu Imanyara who read out a text message to fellow MPs in Parliament on Tuesday, where he alleged that he had been threatened through a note sent to his personal assistant.

“I am aware of the allegations made by Mr Imanyara and he had even reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) that one of his PAs had received a threatening message and we are investigating that report,” Mr Iteere told reporters when he toured Kasarani police station in Nairobi.

He said detectives were tracking the mobile phone number used to send the threat and hoped to make arrests soon.

“We are taking the matter very very seriously, and our officers are on the case,” he said and added that police were also investigating the reported kidnapping of the MP’s personal assistant on Tuesday night.

The PA told police that he was accosted by two people while coming out of a supermarket near Kasarani police station.

“It so happened that the PA was accosted while coming out of a supermarket within this (Kasarani) area but he was released immediately, so we are investigating the incident,” the police boss said.

Other legislators who have reported getting death threats include former Justice Minister Martha Karua (Gichugu), MP’s Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani), Simuyu Eseli (Kimilili), Mithika Linturi (Igembe South) and Housing Assistant Minister Bishop Margret Wanjiru (Kamukunji).

Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti assured of his Ministry’s commitment to provide adequate security to all Members of Parliament, including those alleging to have been threatened.