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I did not kill my comrade Muchai, says Atwoli


Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has asked the police to unmask the killers of his deputy, George Muchai, to stop speculation that his differences with the slain MP could have led to the death.

He said that knowing who was behind the murder in the wee hours of Saturday morning was key in serving justice to both the family and residents of Kabete constituency whom Muchai represented in Parliament, and the whole country.

“The government must do a thorough probe to tell Kenyans who is behind Muchai’s death. Anything short of this will only breed rumours,” Mr Atwoli said at a press conference at the Cotu offices in Nairobi.

The Kabete MP George Muchai was shot dead at dawn on Saturday on Nairobi’s Kenyatta Avenue-Uhuru Highway roundabout. Two of the MP’s police bodyguards and a driver also died in the incident.

GLOWING TRIBUTE

And aware that some people were likely to speculate that the frosty relationship with his deputy may have culminated in the death, Mr Atwoli said:

“He was never a threat to me or us at Cotu and the differences we had were very healthy for the trade union movement and based on issues at hand.”

The MP had taken Mr Atwoli to court claiming he was mismanaging the organisation. The case is pending in court.

“The Interior Cabinet Secretary and the police must come clean on the death,” Mr Atwoli said.

He said that CCTV cameras recently installed by the Nairobi county government on major streets, including Kenyatta Avenue where the MP was gunned down, should come in handy.

Away from their differences, Mr Atwoli paid glowing tribute to the fallen MP, saying he always stood tall to defend rights of workers whenever they were trampled on.

“He was a champion of social justice; it is sad that he lost his life at a prime age; we shall miss him dearly.”

Together with the family and the National Assembly, Cotu will take part in the funeral arrangement, Atwoli said.