Citing the fall of African dictators, MP Ng'eno tells Uhuru time is running out

Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno returns to his home at Mogondo village upn being released from the Nakuru Police Station cells on September 11, 2020.

Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • MP Ng'eno's dramatic return from Nakuru Police Station left at least five people injured, including him and NTV videographer Winnie Chepkemoi who was assaulted by a police officer for capturing the events live.
  • He said he is taking the weekend off to rest after his tribulations over unsavory remarks on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family but won't stop fighting for democracy and constitutional rights,
  • The Kanu MP further said President Kenyatta and DP Ruto should work together in uniting the country and not portray themselves as tribal leaders.

Calm has returned to Emurua Dikirr Constituency in Narok County a day after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that accompanied MP Johana Ng’eno back home from cell.

The dramatic return from Nakuru Police Station left at least five people injured, including the MP and NTV videographer Winnie Chepkemoi who was assaulted by a police officer for capturing the events live.

In a phone interview with the Nation on Saturday, Mr Ngeno said he was taking the weekend off to rest after his tribulations over unsavory remarks on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family.

He, however, remind President Kenyatta tha his time is running out and that he should be focusing on his legacy.

The MP was arrested on September 7 after speaking at a public rally about Mau Forest and criticising Mr Kenyatta over his strained working relationship with Deputy President William Ruto.

“I am spending time with my family to ease the pressure following the psychological torture they subjected me to in the past few days,” said Mr Ngeno

Democracy fight

The lawmaker said he will not backtrack on pushing the government to uphold the tenets of democracy and allowing the people to enjoy their constitutional rights.

He also said he will continue to render basic services, roll out development projects, distribute resources equitably and discard tribalism, nepotism and favoritism in appointment in the public service.

“President Kenyatta must be reminded that he only has two years in power. The clock is ticking and he should be focusing on cementing his legacy instead of using police to harass and clobber politicians and their supporters,” he said.

“We have had Presidents in Africa who were dictators yet they have fallen from grace to grass. Majority of the dictators have been voted out in a democratic poll. There is an end to everything so we must stay the course as a country and safeguard our rights. We must embrace all tenets of a multiparty democracy.”

The lawmaker said the “suffering” many are undergoing will not last forever.

“I am calling on our supporters and Kenyans of goodwill to maintain the peace and enhance the fabric holding the society together while jealously safeguarding the rights enshrined in the constitution.”

The Kanu MP further said President Kenyatta and DP Ruto should work together in uniting the country and not portray themselves as tribal leaders.

"I have heard people saying we invite communities when we talk about issues relating to President Kenyatta and Deputy Ruto [sic]. Have we sunk so low as a country that we brand the President and his deputy tribal chieftains?"

Dramatic day

Mr Ng’eno was charged with hate speech and offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of peace after issuing remarks on parties in the first family including Mama Ngina Kenyatta.

He denied all the charges and was released on Sh1 million cash bail or Sh3 million bond.

During his dramatic return home, police in anti-riot gear, who had travelled over 15 kilometres from the Bomet-Narok border with hundreds of Mr Ng’eno’s supports, turned against them at the tail end of the journey.

While the MP was hit on the lips by a teargas canister, Elkerin MCA Stanley Langat and three others were injured as they ran to safety, with police attacking them with planks and buttons.

The NTV journalist sustained injuries on her left hand and hip and bruises on the face.

Two of the injured were admitted to Tenwek hospital in Bomet while two others were treated at Dikirr health centre and discharged,

“I sustained a leg injury. I have recorded a statement with the police and obtained an OB number. I know the officer who hit me …. I will pursue the matter to the end,” Mr Langat said on Saturday, hours after undergoing treatment.

Mr Ngeno said he was treated for the injury he sustained after the tear gas canister hit him on the lips. He was non-committal on seeking legal redress.

“Several police officers with vehicles blocked me from travelling to my home. They told me I would not be allowed to hold a meeting and I told them it was okay as I did not have any such plans. I just wanted to go home,” he said in an interview after police broke up what he said was a peaceful procession.

He added, “The people stopped me and demanded that I walk with them as they wanted to confirm I was okay. Suddenly, police turned against the peaceful people, injuring them and destroying motorcycles after lobbing teargas canisters at us.”

The police officers were deployed to the area to ensure the MP did not hold a political rally after his release from custody.