Activist Al-Amin Kimathi claims his life is in danger

Activist Al-Amin Kimathi addresses journalists outside Jamia Mosque in Nairobi recently. (Photo:Mbugua Kibera/Standard)

By Cyrus Ombati

Nairobi, Kenya: Human rights activist Al-Amin Kimathi claims his life is in danger.

Kimathi recorded a statement with the police at the Kileleshwa police station in Nairobi Tuesday saying a caller had informed him he was next on line for “assassination” after the killing of Sheikh Shariff Abubakar alias Makaburi in Shanzu, Mombasa.

Kimathi who was accompanied by lawyers Gitobu imanyara, Harun Ndubi, Victor Kamau of Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Mwandawiro Mghanga asked police to investigate the caller and ensure his safety.

Kileleshwa deputy OCS Stephen Mwachia received the officials at the station and later ordered that they record their statement.

Kimathi said he had informed interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku on the threats and the minister asked him to record the statement.

He said he was called by an informer from anti-terror police from Pangani police station and informed they were through with Makaburi, and he was next.

Imanyara asked why the crackdown is targeting a few people from a certain religion.

“It should not be business as usual where people say their lives are in danger and they die in unclear circumstances later. We want action on this,” said Imanyara.

Ironically, when Makaburi was killed on April 1, Kimathi was with him in the area.

Police boss David Kimaiyo said they will investigate the claims and make the findings public. He said the investigations into the killing of Makaburi are ongoing and no one knows his killers.

“If someone called him saying he is a police officer that is very serious and we are going to get to the bottom of the matter,” said Kimaiyo.

Kimathi is a human rights activist and has been in the fore front defending the rights of Muslims.

“I have been holding sessions with the youths asking them not to allow themselves to join any radical movements and we are on the right track despite many setbacks,” he told The Standard.