Mwau claims life in danger

Kilome MP Harun Mwau has claimed his life is in danger as MPs came out in his support demanding that government accords him security Wednesday.

The legislators took time to demand immediate security for Mr Mwau, who was named by US President Barrack Obama as a significant drug trafficker, after he said in Parliament he fears for his life as he was being trailed by unknown persons.

“The seriousness of this matter is that from June 3, I have been seeing some weird characters both white and black near my office and House and I think that my life is in danger and I would like to know what guarantee there is for my security because it seems there is an agenda that is being played here,” the MP stated in Parliament.

Mr Mwau asked for a detailed statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs last week in which he questioned the US action and what informed it, further asking whether the Government could come out to protect him.

The statement was due Wednesday but the minister was not in the House to give it. Rising for a second time on the matter, the MP said he had said in Parliament many times that the allegations against him were false.

“I have told this House again and again that I have never been involved in drug trafficking or any other criminal activity and the House has been taking this matter very lightly,” he said emotionally.

Several MPs rose in support of Mr Mwau, stating that his fears over his life could be real and the government should take the matter seriously.

President Obama listed Mr Mwau as a drug kingpin a week ago, under the US Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act also referred to as the Kingpin Act. He extended the orders on Kenyan businesswoman Ms Naima Mohammed Nyakinywa. The two joined the US list of top seven drug traffickers in the world.

Last week, Mr Mwau questioned whether President Kibaki was consulted before the decision was taken. He said no one had talked to him about the designation before the announcement was made.

Further, he asked whether the Government of Kenya can do something to prevent the US Senate and House of Representatives from acting on what he described as an erroneous information that has been forwarded to them.

On Wednesday, at a session chaired by Kibwezi MP Prof Philip Kaloki, the MP sought to impress upon the House to find the matter as weighty, arguing that it also touches on the integrity of Parliament.

“It would not be proper for a drug peddler to be sitting with Honourable Members of Parliament without them raising a finger, it touches on the integrity of the House,” he argued.

The MP added that it also touched on his personal liberty, his freedom rights, dignity, character and respect.

“Therefore I would like to know why the Minister is taking the matter lightly and not putting in the effort required,” he said.

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale said though a grey area and MPs wouldn’t want to be seen to be actively contributing, , they must speak on the MP’s security concerns.

“The Government of US, at one time when they were unhappy with the ex-leader of Panama Manuel Noriega, they actually arrested him and took him away in this land, when they were unhappy with one character Mr Osama Bin Laden, they killed him and buried him in the sea, it is important that the Government of Kenya takes this matter of Hon Mwau seriously, it is important that due process is respected,” he stated.

MPs demanded that the Minister for Internal Security gives assurance to the House at the afternoon session that the MP’s security will be beefed up.

“It would do justice if the Minister comes to the House this afternoon and gives a commitment on the issue of security because that is a priority,” Dr Khalwale said.

Responding on behalf of government, Regional Development Authorities minister Fred Gumo said he would immediately ask the Ministry of Internal Security to beef up the MP’s security.

“I will do it immediately, I am a man of action, I am not joking and I am very serious. When I say something I mean it, I will make sure I contact the Security Ministry and will make sure he is provided with security, Hon Mwau is also a very good friend of mine.”

Mr Gumo said the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry issued a statement last week stating that he had written to the American Embassy to get proper information on the allegations against the MP.

“The PS said he wrote to demand a proper explanation since according to our own investigations Mr Mwau was cleared but they are insisting that he is involved in drug dealing,” the minister said.

“But I will see the Ministry so that Hon Mwau is provided with adequate security and also that he is cleared because as government I don’t see why all these and that it is unfair,” he said.

Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro said the government had an obligation to reassure the MP. He recalled the death of former Kilome MP Tony Ndilinge who was murdered in 2001 after he had expressed concern that his life was in danger.

Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, Lari MP David Njuguna, Kandara MP Maina Kamau and Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni said it was an urgent matter.

“Tomorrow may be too late given the things we know have happened in the past,” Mr Kioni stated.

Mr Wamalwa indicated that President Obama’s planned visit to Kenya and Tanzania in September was the more reason why the matter should be attended to with urgency.

Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo said Mr Mwau has repeatedly raised concern about the allegations facing him.

“Mr Mwau fears for his life, before he is shot and buried in the Indian Ocean, at least he is entitled to some form of government action to protect him,” the member said.

Mr Kamau added that the MP was old and could get a stroke out of stress.