Vocal Kenyan opposition politician, Dr. Miguna Miguna is stranded in Frankfurt, Germany |
By Our
Correspondent, NAIROBI Kenya
The
Kenyan government on Monday said it would facilitate the return of vocal
opposition politician, into the country, following court orders to that effect.
Despite government assurances to facilitate his
return in a document from the Immigration authorities, the politician is
blaming the government for playing hid-and-seek with his return.
Miguna posted on Twitter Tuesday morning from
Berlin that he had been stranded in Berlin because of a government red alert to
Lufthansa warning them to not carry him on a scheduled flight. Government
denied the claim.
“I’m
exploring all my options. I’ll communicate when and how I will travel to Kenya
later today or tomorrow. Meanwhile, I urge all my supporters, freedom fighters
and genuine human rights defenders to remain focused and unbowed. Mobilize for
a huge homecoming to shame the despots,” he tweeted.
It is the latest twist for forcibly exiled
Miguna whose headaches started after his role in the symbolic inauguration of
then opposition leader Raila Odinga in January 2018, he was deported in
February that year. His attempt to return on March 26, 2018 was not successful.
“This is to confirm that in compliance with the
court orders issued on December 14, 2018, the directorate will facilitate Dr
Miguna’s entry into Kenya,’‘Director of Immigration Alexander Muteshi said in a
statement on Monday.
Justice Weldon Korir ordered authorities to
facilitate Miguna’s re-entry on the basis of his identification through his
national identity card or his withheld Kenyan passport.
Miguna had filed the application last week,
stating that he was due to return to the country on January 7, aboard Lufthansa
flight LH 590.
Government spokesperson Colonel (Rtd) Cyrus
Oguna had earlier confirmed that Miguna would be allowed to return to the
country, as long as he has valid travel documents.
“The head of state made a pronouncement that he
is free to come back. That is still the government’s position. Had new
realities or dynamics emerged after the head of state spoke, they would have
been made public,’‘Oguna said.
“He must have valid travel documents like any
other Kenyan or traveller.’‘
Oguna was referring to President Uhuru
Kenyatta’s remarks last week, when he said every Kenyan has a right to freedom
of expression.
‘‘I have heard that some people are now
planning to fly into the country. Let them come because that is their freedom,’‘Kenyatta
said in what was seen as a veiled reference to Miguna.
Miguna has issued several demands ahead of his
return to Kenya including granting his lawyer ‘full access to all immigration
and port of entry areas, where he will be processed’.
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