Church leaders call for Muthama’s prosecution over Uhuru-Waiguru “slur”
Embattled Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has come under heavy criticism from a section of the clergy for what they termed as “shameful” utterances.
The leaders of Kenya’s Evangelical Churches, led by Bishop Mark Kariuki, said those who made utterances against the Presidency during a political rally by opposition party Cord on Wednesday at Uhuru Park must not be allowed to get away with it “unless the law is being applied selectively.”
Referring to remarks by Muthama, the leaders said the politician violated the Constitution because Freedom of Speech does not include vilification of others.
They further said the Senator’s utterances caused shame to the family of President Uhuru Kenyatta and that of Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.
During the Uhuru Park rally, which was organised by Cord as a show of solidarity with the striking teachers, Muthama made remarks about President Kenyatta and and Waiguru which have been termed as derogatory by a cross section of political leaders.
Meanwhile, Mr Muthama recorded a statement at the Nairobi County Police Headquarters on Saturday afternoon over his controversial utterances.
Mr Muthama arrived at the station a few minutes before noon in the company of Cord co-principal Raila Odinga, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale among other opposition leaders.
The investigations are being handled by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
On Thursday, NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo said they had established sufficient grounds to press charges against Mr Muthama and Bunge la Mwananchi chairman, Mr Japheth Mworoko Thuranira, over their utterances at the said rally.
