PM calls for repatriation of Kenyans

By Steve Mkawale and David Ochami

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called for repatriation of eight terror suspects held in Ugandan jails in connection with the suicide bomb attacks that killed 79 people in July.

The PM protested the manner in which the suspects were arrested.

"I have never spoken publicly about this matter but they should bring them back home for trial, including the human rights activist Al-Amin Kimathi," said the PM who was campaigning for the ODM candidate in the Kamkunji by-election slated for May 23.

The suspects were to stand trial for several counts of terrorism, 75 counts of murder and nine counts of attempted murder over the attacks.

Mr Kimathi was arrested when he went to arrange legal assistance for other suspects.

Yesterday, Raila said he would continue to fight for the rights of Muslims in the country.

"I would like Muslims to cooperate with Christians and I promise I will continue to fight for their rights," said the PM.

Meanwhile, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has denounced President Yoweri Museveni’s inauguration Thursday and said he would return to the country this morning to continue with protests against the government.

"I will as a person continue to participate in all protests that will be called, provided they are peaceful until desired goals are achieved," he told journalists in Nairobi and claimed that challenging the Museveni regime is "costly and risky" and can lead to death.

Inauguration

Mr Besigye yesterday said the opposition movement in Uganda will not attend Museveni’s inauguration but will instead hold protest prayers in the Ugandan capital tin the morning.

He disclosed that he discussed the crisis in Uganda with Raila when he paid him a visit at Nairobi Hospital and urged Kenya to support the democratic movement in Uganda.

He said the East Africa Community integration should not be turned into "the integration of dictators".

"The Kenya Government will be better served by a stable Uganda, a democratic Uganda," he said.

Besigye said an unstable Uganda will lead to refugees and economic burden.

"The East Africa region will not be integrated by dictators. It is a contradiction for Museveni to claim he is working for integration. Integration is not integration of dictators. It should be an integration of the people. We need values as the building blocks for integrating the East Africa region."

Besigye visited Democratic Party of Kenya offices, Nairobi, where he was received by former MP Joseph Munyao.

Mr Munyao condemned "the cruelty and brutality" meted on the opposition leader during peaceful demonstrations. Besigye described Museveni’s government as a regime in panic and vowed to go on with protests. "Opposition parties that participated in February’s elections consider Thursday’s inauguration a waste and insult to democracy," he said.