By MICHAEL OLLINGA
UASIN GISHU, KENYA: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the North Rift region have vowed to sue Uasin Gishu County Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno over claims of ejecting British envoys from a hotel.
Daniel Kimutai from the National Council of Churches Kenya (NCCK) in the region and other members said it was illogical for Chemno to storm the envoys’ meeting, while there are other ways he could have expressed his discontent.
Mr Kimutai said the governor did not have the authority to chase away diplomats who had permission from the National Government and should face legal action for failure to apologise. “International diplomats are usually permitted to be in the country by the National Government and we are ready to file a case against his conduct and refusal to apologise,” he said.
Rev Maritim Rirei from the Eldoret Anglican diocese said it was inappropriate for the deputy governor to storm the meeting involving the CSOs and diplomats.
“We are not happy with the disruption of a peaceful and legal meeting and how the envoys were chased. The governor also has private meetings which we do not force to be engaged in,” he said.
Rirei said the governor’s decision was wild and an infringement of the citizen’s right to convene and he would need to be sued. “We have already engaged a lawyer on the issue. Discussions are underway and we will soon take the matter to court,” he said adding that the deputy governor contravened the Constitution.
Condemn move
He also said Chemno showed disrespect to the CSOs and the residents as a whole and that the decision has severely demeaned the image of the county.
The CSOs also faulted Uasin Gishu governor for relating them to ill issues in reference to the allegations of witness coaching.
Law Society of Kenya Chairman in the North Rift Rioba Omboto has also issued a statement to condemn the move, and called on Chemno to apologise and save the county’s image.
