For a third time in a row former aide
to Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga (Miguna Miguna) has been roughed up by
irate youths in Kenya.
This time Miguna was cornered by the
youths in Mombasa, the second biggest after the Country’s capital, Nairobi on Saturday,August 25.
He was reported to have been
accompanied by former Tourism Minister Najib Balala who fled the area as youths
also bayed for his blood.
The first protest to his bid to market
his book, Peeling Back The Mask, took place in Nakuru when he set off to launch
his new book.`
A day later he was at again it in a
Kisumu Hotel, an ODM’s stronghold and Raila`s home turf. He was once again
rescued by the Police.
It is true that the expanded democracy
accommodates many freedoms including that of expression and association.
It is however surprising to see how
even in the wake of the new constitution some Kenyans are still intolerant of
other people’s views.
But even with the developments, the big
question now is what is the thin line between freedom of expression and
National Cohesion.
So it is true that Miguna should be
free in the new Kenya to popularize his book in any part of the country.
Whether the Prime Minister Odinga should
rise to speak to his supporters to refrain from such acts is anyone’s guess.
What is likely to be the interpretation
of all this is that Raila is not tolerant to divergent views, as seen from his
followers.
We at the Peace Forum Journal we take
an early advice to Kenyans to respect their constitution, which they
promulgated in 2010.
It is rich in freedom of speech, association,
press and leave Miguna to market his book.
But even as he does that, he should
trade carefully and avoid actions that would unsettle peace of Kenyans.
We end by some of the comments made by
Kenyans on the social media
1.Emmanuel Talam-Miguna should Peel
Back his Pride and forget about his countrywide launches of his book. He has
made his point! Ama niaje?
Pussy Riots greet Miguna Miguna tour of
Mombasa!
2.Peter
Opondo-A crowd is baying for Miguna's blood at
Castle Royale hotel, Mombasa. He's now locked up in a room as police strategise
on how to rescue him. These people attacking Miguna are only helping him to be
on news! Is it too difficult to listen to a divergent view?
3. Robert Nagila-Miguna should cancel
his so-called book signing tours, if you ask me, he is holding up much needed
police resources!
4.James Tugee-If I were Miguna, I'd
just stop this 47-County tour, or whatever it is! But, as the Swahili say,
sikio la kufa halisikii dawa!
5. James Smart-I understand the coast
folks who roughed up #Miguna have eloped with his trademark hat
6.Anne Kiguta-I know not how factual
Miguna's mask peeling is, but a reception of stones & blows shows how
intolerant we are.and that's very worrying!
7.Vincent
Achesa-Do you think Miguna Miguna atatoboa kumpiga Raila? I think NO, awache
kuchafulia rais sifa.pls when it comes to Voting usitupe kura yako...weka .kwa
ODM
8.Miguna Miguna-.Raila
Odinga cares about Raila Odinga and the larger Jaramogi family. He has been
Prime Minister now for more than four years; what practical initiatives –
economic, social, health, educational has he started, encouraged or facilitated
in Luo Nyanza? Where is the concrete evidence that if Raila were to become
President, Luos, specifically and Kenyans, in general, would see any
significant difference Kwa ODM.
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