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The life and times of slain MP Muchai


Slain Kabete Member of Parliament George Muchai’s life was riddled with endless controversies during his last days.

The legislator was murdered alongside his driver and two bodyguards in cold blood in Nairobi on Saturday morning, an incident that has since brought forth mixed reactions within the political circles and among Kenyans on social media.

As far back as three years ago, Muchai was attacked by unknown thugs who injured him and underwent extensive treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.

Speaking at the time, he linked the attack to both his “enemies at COTU and political opponents in what was the forthcoming election in Kangema”

He said at the time: “I do not understand why someone would want to eliminate me, I am a champion of peace. But this (attack) won’t relent me. I will continue championing the rights of my workers”.

The most recent of Muchai’s well documented controversies was a tussle with Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli, whom he deputized.

DEFAMATION SUIT

The two of often clashed in public following differences in principle, but the spat went a notch higher when Muchai moved to court last November seeking orders to freeze COTU’s bank accounts.

The stand off seemed to have gone personal when Muchai claimed in his suit that Atwoli was operating upto 13 secret bank accounts which he asked the court to compel six local banks to reveal.

The slain politician also sued Atwoli for defamation in which he demanded Sh 200 million as compensation.

At around the same time, Muchai was forced in the company of his wife Susan to address the public through a press conference to refute what he claimed were wide spread allegations to the effect that he had “snatched somebody’s wife”.

Muchai linked what he claimed was the bad publicity to “his enemies at COTU”.

Months later, the legislator-cum-trade unionist would die from the hands gunmen, leaving all these controversies unresolved.