The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has condemned the second deportation of self-declared National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader Miguna Miguna by the government.
The commission chair Kagwiria Mbogori says that Miguna’s Wednesday night deportation to Dubai has made Kenya a ‘laughing stalk’.
In a briefing with journalists at KNCHR offices in Nairobi on Thursday, Mbogori said that the bad image created by Miguna’s forceful deportation is irreparable.
She said that Miguna’ deportation has put the country under international ridicule.
The KNCHR boss observed that all the drama surrounding Miguna’s return on Monday would have been avoided if the government had adhered to the court order that had ordered for Miguna’s return after his deportation to Canada on February 6.
“Kenya is now under serious ridicule because of Miguna’s second deportation and it will need serious measures to repair the damage,” she said.
Mbogori said that Miguna did not break the law for refusing to hand over his documents for re-entry.
She stated that Kenya is now being condemned for infringing on rights of its citizen.
The KNCHR chairperson warned that continued violation of rule of law by elected and appointed government officials will be disastrous for the country.
Miguna was deported for the second time on Wednesday night two days after he jetted into the country from Canada where he had been earlier deported.
The Canadian based lawyer was deported and arrived in Dubai Thursday morning.
Miguna is said to have been admitted in hospital once he landed in Dubai after complaining of being drugged and sedated before his deportation.
On Thursday, High court Judge George Odunga fined Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i, Inspector General of Police (IG) Joseph Boinnet and Immigration Principal Secretary (PS) Gordon Kihalangwa Sh200, 000 each as fine for court contempt.
Justice Odunga had earlier convicted the three government officials for ignoring court orders to have Miguna released unconditionally.
In his ruling, Justice Odunga said that the fines will be deducted from the three government officer’s next month salaries.