National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale has accused activist Okiya Omtata of disturbing his peace, arguing that he doesn't hold dual citizenship.
In a tough message directed to Okiya on Thursday, Duale insisted that he is a Kenyan citizen, adding that no single time he has even held Somalia citizenship.
According to him, his name is being dragged by Omtatah because he participated in shooting down nomination of Mwende Mwinzi as envoy to South Korea since she holds American citizenship.
Duale said, “It is a matter of public notoriety that I am a proud Kenyan citizen and I do not hold dual citizenship and I have never held citizenship of another country and will never do. Mimi ni Mkenya kwa damu na daima nitazidi kuwa Mkenya (I'm Kenyan in the blood and will always be Kenyan)”.
Duale said he was being blackmailed by those he termed ‘busybodies’ after he refused to facilitate the approval of Mwende Mwinzi for appointment as the Ambassador to South Korea.
He said he has been receiving numerous calls to try help Mwinzi, but maintained his stand on the guidelines stipulated in the Constitution.
“Parliament shall not be arm twisted or blackmailed,” Duale wrote on his Twitter page.
He added, “ Indeed the so-called public interest litigators should have looked for other "clever" ways of arm twisting Parliament. This one falls flat like a flat tyre”.
His protest comes hours after Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika also disputed claims that she holds dual citizenship, adding that Omtatah is a busybody with little knowledge.
"Did I read somewhere that am being accused of holding Dual Citizenship? For the record; I only hold Kenyan citizenship . But it’s ok to let the busy bodies earn their daily bread. These streets are rough. Peace," she said.
In his letter to Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and posted on his Twitter account, Omtatah wants the commission to probe the legislators as it is against the Kenya's constitution for anybody with a foreign citizenship to hold any state office.
Four MPs from North Eastern region are said to be having Somali citizenship and they include; Adan Bare Duale (Garissa), Adan Haji Ali (Mandera South), Mohammed Dahir Duale (Dadaab) and Lagdera's MP Mohammed Garane.
Kamukunji lawmaker Yusuf Hassan Abdi and his Marsabit counterpart Safia Sheikh Abdi are said to be holding United Kingdom nationalities while Naivasha's Jane Kihara is allegedly registered as US Citizen.
In the Senate, Narok Senator Ledama Olekina and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika are registered as United States' citizens.
Omtatah who further requested EACC to disclose their findings within 15 days said that it is important for the lawmakers to adhere to the laws they expected the diplomats to adhere to.
"In the spirit of adhering to the rule of law and applying the law consistently and equally to all, it’s of overwhelming national importance and public interest that our legislators submit themselves to the same standards they have set for diplomats,” reads part of Omtatah’s letter.