Miguna maintains stance on citizenship row

Lawyer Miguna Miguna has insisted that he never lost nor renounced his Kenyan citizenship despite incessant such claims from varied quarters.

The opposition activist, in an interview with a local television station, maintained that he was forced into exile in 1987, and his then passport confiscated.

“I was later issued with another Kenyan passport in 2009, and wonder why people claim that in not a citizen of Kenya, said the nonconformist attorney, adding that were he not a Kenya citizen, would ha have been allowed to run for governorship in the country.

During the interview Dr Miguna declined to comment on whether he is willing to take up the offer to become Nairobi Deputy Governor.

Dr Miguna was interviewed from his Canada base by Citizen TV’s Jeff Koinange via Skype.

Miguna has been deported twice over a row with the Immigration Department on his citizenship status.

Early this month, Governor Mike Sonko shocked friends and foe after nominating Miguna as his deputy governor, a decision yet to be approved by Ward Representatives.

In the interview, Miguna repeatedly refused to comment on the nomination and instead said he was willing to discuss what he termed ‘violation of his rights’ by the Kenyan government.

“Jeff, I’m not here to talk about (my lawyer) Cliff Ombeta or Governor Sonko, I am here to talk about how my rights have been violated by the regime in Nairobi, how they have disobeyed the court orders…” Miguna started off in the Skype interview.

Undeterred, Koinange again revisited the subject during this 21- minute interview, but again Miguna turned away the bait.

Koinange: If you are to come back, would you, could you think about working with Sonko?

Miguna: Jeff I will come back and I will make announcement as to who I work with and who I don’t work with when I am back.

Koinange: I know that but everyone wants to know Miguna because your name has come up.

Miguna: I don’t want to know because it is not a question that Sonko has asked me, it is not a question that Kenyans have asked me.

Koinange: Miguna, I asked you a very simple question and I don’t know why you are beating about the bush, would you work with Sonko?

Miguna: I will not answer that question, Sonko is a Kenyan, Miguna is a Kenyan, it depends on what you mean by working.

Additional reporting David Khalimwa