The latest debacle involving the return of exiled Lawyer Miguna Miguna back to the country has sparked huge reactions on social media.
Last night, soon after tweeting, “HOMEBOUND, Unbowed! Dynamic. Resourceful”, from Air France’s Nairobi bound flight AF0814 at the Charles De Gaulle Airport in Paris, was kicked out.
Reason? His name is still on a red alert sent out by the Kenyan government in 2018 when he was deported for taking part in the swearing-in of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who was protesting losing a presidential election to Uhuru Kenyatta, as the Peoples’ President.
“Air France removed me from Flight AF0814 from Charles De Gaulle Airport to JKIA, which was about to take off, They (Kenyan government) are so so afraid, cowardly, tyrannical and weak that they have sent RED ALERTS to all airlines. We shall never surrender!” he wrote.
He was connecting to Nairobi from Canada, and this was the second airline to decline to fly him home, after Lufthansa told him he must have his name cleared from the Red Alert before he could be allowed to board from Germany.
He then flew to Paris, France to try his luck with Air France which unboarded him.
“Dear Mr Miguna, we confirm that at the request of the Kenyan authorities, we were obliged to deny boarding. Like all airlines, Air France is required to comply with the entry requirements for the countries it serves,” Air France tweeted Wednesday morning, in reply to Miguna’s rant online.
On arrival in Frankfurt, Germany on Tuesday, Miguna said that he had been stopped by Lufthansa airline officials from boarding the flight to Nairobi where he was scheduled to arrive at 9.25pm.
When contacted for comment, Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna said, “the government position has not changed, the Immigration Department said it is ready to facilitate his entry at JKIA, but if there are issues he is facing outside our boundaries, that is something that will be dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
As political analysts and commentators continue to give their various theories as to why the outspoken Kenyan-Canadian has been denied entry into the country, Kenyan blogger Robert Alai on Wednesday morning joined in and implied that
The cyber-activist and Head of States Commendation (HSC) holder claimed a source revealed to him in December that two explosive posts made by Miguna in July and October attacking ODM Party Leader Raila Odinga and current Cabinet Secretary for Tourism Najib Balala respectively, “sealed his fate”.
The man who has earned earned notoriety for his relentless stream of social rants added that the individuals mentioned in those posts “were not happy at all”. Implying that they might be the background force influencing Miguna’s current tribulations.
In the posts, Miguna alleges that the former Prime Minister is not the biological father of his two children – Fidel and Winnie – who he claims were conceived during the period “Baba”, as his supporters love to call him, was in prison.
He also called Balala (and subsequently Uhuru) Gay.
I was told in December that these two posts sealed the fate of @MigunaMiguna. The individuals mentioned in the posts are not happy at all. pic.twitter.com/7tRlT71xVM
— Robert Alai (@RobertAlai) January 8, 2020
The ever vocal political dissident responded saying that “posts don’t seal fates”. In a “gloves off” move, he went on to question Alai’s ability to think like a man.
Posts don’t seal fates, Alai. Start thinking like a man who attended Onjiko Secondary School and graduated. Despot Uhuru Kenyatta is abusing his power, subverting the Constitution and disobeying Court Orders.
What did Chris Msando do to deserve being tortured and killed? Think
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) January 8, 2020
In return, Alai asked Miguna to be calm and be open to much needed advice.
Posts don’t seal fates, Alai. Start thinking like a man who attended Onjiko Secondary School and graduated. Despot Uhuru Kenyatta is abusing his power, subverting the Constitution and disobeying Court Orders.
What did Chris Msando do to deserve being tortured and killed? Think
— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) January 8, 2020
In the comments section, some Kenyans chose to stay away from the matter, some took the opportunity to remind Alai and Miguna that family matters are sacred and shouldn’t be brought up during political battles.
Alai, we must not always agree with “you” on certain things but when it comes “your” family, that is a no go zone. There is where you draw your strength to wake every day and face the harsh world. That is your heart.
— Jalego (@n_Njoga) January 8, 2020
Here is what a few other Kenyans had to say.
He is profiling the gay community, and even Canada his country does not stomach individuals who segregate others on sexual orientation.
— Olkitare (@oleMuyai) January 8, 2020
So Raila is so strong that he is Capable of Fixing Red Alert to an individual on Soveregn Country? AWORO.
— Wounded TaxPayer (@Nichoduor) January 8, 2020
Such abuses are beyond forgiveness @MigunaMiguna hit the wrong target. You can’t expose dirty linen in public and expect warm welcome. Apologize to the many Kenyans you’ve insulted.
— Kenney Mboya, PhD (@Kenney_Mboya) January 8, 2020
I still wonder what kind of a revolution Miguna wants to lead, how’s RAILA Odinga’s personal life going to bring change in Kenya ,this guy has a problem
— Samuel (@SamuelWasonga7) January 8, 2020
Just this noon, the High Court has gave the government until Thursday to file responses in Miguna’s case.
Justice Weldon Korir says the orders issued on Monday remain in force.
The State claims that Miguna is free to come to Kenya but they do not know why he has not been able to travel.
Lawyer John Khaminwa says that he talked to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i who told him that the state is not opposed to Miguna’s return.
The case will be heard on Friday.
