MPs demand Ngilu arrest over ‘anti-Muslim’ remarks

A group of MPs from the North Eastern region have accused Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu of making derogatory remarks about members of the Somali and Muslim community and demanded her arrest.

Saying members of the community have a right to live in Kenya, the MPs asked Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) George Kinoti to immediately arrest and charge the governor, saying her remarks had incited residents of Kitui against Muslims. 

Addressing a news conference yesterday, the MPs said it was unacceptable for a person who holds a senior position as Ngilu’s to make such remarks.

The legislators included Adan Keynan (Eldas), Bashir Abdullahi (Mandera North) Ahmed Kolosh (Wajir West), Mohamed Garane (Lagdera), Omar Shurie (Mbalambala), Abdi Mude (Lafey) and Ali Wario (Bura).

Farms invasion

The MPs were reacting to an audio recording that has been circulating on the internet, in which a voice purported to be that of Ngilu, is asking Kitui residents to arm themselves and fight herders who invade their farms.

They threatened to take unspecified action against the governor if the government fails to act.

Bashir accused Ngilu of driving a wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims in Kitui county because of a disagreement over pasture.

“It is unfortunate that a person of the stature of a governor can make such remarks. What Ngilu said amounts to hate speech and should have been arrested by now,” said Bashir.

Keynan said Kenya is governed by the Constitution and laws and demanded that Ngilu answer for her remarks.

The governor’s utterances amounted to profiling one community which was against the law, he said.

“If truly this is a country that believes in the rule of law, Ngilu must be arrested so that she can be a lesson to all to submit to the rule of law,” said Keynan.

He told the governor to deal with her political problems “instead of trying to incite peaceful Kenyans against each other”.

“If she starts profiling people now, what will happen if people from my community retaliate?” he posed.

Kolosh said Ngilu’s utterances had the potential of causing conflicts between communities.

“If she gets away with it, it’s going to create chaos. If this governor is not arrested today it will clearly show that Matiang’i (Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred) also wants us to take steps to protect ourselves,” he said. 

Wario said it was shocking that the government was yet to take action against the governor. In the controversial recording, the voice is also heard telling the youth to deal with bandits who had attacked Mutha village in Kitui.

Two weeks ago, more than 200 families fled their homes in Mutha village, Kitui county fearing bandit attacks.

This is not the first time that Ngilu is finding herself in trouble because of alleged incitement.  Two years ago, Kiambu county leaders demanded her arrest for allegedly inciting youth in her county to burn vehicles transporting charcoal through Kitui county.