Kenyans in Diaspora Weigh in on Miguna Miguna’s Woes

A group of Kenyans in the diaspora has protested the decision by the government to block deported lawyer Miguna Miguna’s return to Kenya.

Diaspora for Change, a pressure group based in the United Kingdom, took issue with the government’s continued disregard of court orders that directed it to facilitate Miguna’s return to the country. 

In a statement on Thursday, the group decried what it termed as an increasing trend by the political class to undermine the independence of the Judiciary by disobeying court orders and refusing to comply with the rule of law.

“We are gravely concerned by the decision of the Jubilee government in Nairobi to resort to illegally continuing with its policy of forced exile of its critic, human rights and civil society leader Miguna Miguna.”

“Despite several court orders requiring the government to allow, facilitate and not to interfere with the return of Miguna Miguna ... the leadership has refused to comply and continues to flagrantly disobey these court orders,” a statement signed by Hezekiah Owili, Aggrey Kikaya and Sebastian Onyango on behalf of Diaspora for Change, read in part.

They demanded that Miguna, who is presently stranded in Germany, is granted an unconditional entry into the country as directed by the court.

“It implies that the law in Kenya can be applied selectively at the whim of the political class. This should worry not only Miguna but all Kenyans from all walks of life, especially those in the diaspora who hold dual citizenship ...We demand that Mr. Miguna Miguna is allowed free and unconditional return to his homeland.”

Miguna was on Tuesday blocked by two airlines from flying to Kenya over a red alert allegedly issued by the government of Kenya. On Wednesday, the government shifted the blame on Miguna, saying he had been listed as an “unruly passenger” after he caused drama at JKIA during his deportation in March 2018.

“Dr. Miguna was categorized as an unruly passenger in line with Annex 17 of ICAO standards and recommended practices that allow prohibition of unruly passengers,” said government spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna.