Imanyara says 'willing to die' after night ordeal

Imenti Central MP Gitobu Imanyara has recounted to a shocked Parliament chilling details of a night ordeal where he says he was accosted by four thugs.

Mr Imanyara said the goons forced him to pledge support to a leading presidential aspirant during the 11.30pm incident, which happened on State House Crescent Tuesday night.

According to the Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) MP, he slowed down after spotting a car which appeared stalled in the middle of the road.

Three men alighted and one of them approached his car asking him to confirm his identity.

“He asked me: “wewe ndio Imanyara?” (are you Imanyara?) and I said yes I am. Then he told the fourth man, a gang leader, who was in their car in Kikuyu, he is the one,” he said.

The MP claimed the fourth man also alighted and he was then ordered out of the car and asked to hand over his gun which he didn't have.

He told stunned MPs that he was coerced into saying "Uhuru tuko pamoja" (Uhuru we are together) three times and told to swear facing Mount Kenya.

“I have said many times and a repeat, in the face of the new Constitution, I am willing to die but I will not accept a situation where anyone, no matter how senior or mighty directs me on whom I should support.

"I won't be party to any compartmentalisation of this country into regions and let those who think they can intimidate others know that we cannot be cowed,” he said.

The slogan is the rallying cry of supporters belonging to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who has indicated his intention to succeed President Kibaki as Kenya's fourth president.

In Parliament, Mr Imanyara said the thugs also asked him not to attend the controversial Limuru 2B rally, whose organisers say was aimed at bringing together Kenyans from all regions to champion non-tribal alliances ahead of the General Election.

Police cancelled the meeting on grounds that youth planned to cause mayhem.

The gang also instructed him not to accompany Prime Minister Raila Odinga to Meru.

The MP claimed that the group's leader then slapped him and threatened to have him killed if he didn't comply.

“He told me I you don't do what we have told you we shall chop off your head and those of your two sons and take them to your wife.”

His narration sent a chill through the House, throwing MPs in panic over their security. Members demanded to interrogate police commissioner Mathew Iteere on the incident and their security accusing him of treating such incidents lightly.

The claims by Mr Imanyara came barely a fortnight after similar claims by government chief whip Jakoyo Midiwo that there were plans to assassinate Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

The MP claimed it was not the first time he has been threatened, saying a meeting held by certain politicians at the Landmark Hotel two weeks ago had identified a number of people who were 'not toeing the line' to be eliminated.