Jubilee MPs call for Johnstone Muthama arrest over "foul language"

Jubilee leaders have expressed outrage at what they termed as "foul language and unbecoming conduct" by Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama during the Opposition's rally at Uhuru Park on Wednesday.

The legislators from the Government side also condemned their Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) colleagues for capitalising on the crisis in the education sector, to gain political mileage "and resuscitate their dwindling political fortunes".

The leaders condemned the utterances by the CORD Minority Whip, claiming it was disrespectful of women of Kenya and demanded an apology for what they felt bordered on a sexist attack.

The Jubilee Parliamentary Group said the sentiments expressed by Mr Muthama, in his veiled shots at President Uhuru Kenyatta and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru were uncouth, uncalled for and demeaning.

They also queried the revelation of an M-Pesa paybill number allegedly to solicit money to pay teachers, claiming that the same was a scheme to defraud the public and raise campaign money.

"We ask Kenyans to keep their hard-earned money. No one should fall victim to this dubious pyramid scheme kind of thing. Who will control these funds? Who are the signatories other than CORD co-principals Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka?" Senate Majority Leader Kindiki Kithure asked.

The Jubilee leaders claimed that the new attempt was similar to another initiative launched by the same group in May 21, ostensibly to assist Kenyans during emergencies.

"The paybill number then was 673673. Now CORD has another number 672672. How sure are we that this is not a means of collecting money to settle commercial debts that we have heard they owe sugar companies?" Prof Kindiki wondered.

Nominated Senators Beth Mugo, Naisula Lesuuda and Martha Wangare, joined by their colleagues from the National Assembly Rachel Nyamai (Kitui South), Alice Ng'ang'a (Thika Town) and Naomi Shaaban (Taveta MP), expressed their outrage at the language used by Muthama.

"I am embarrassed by the uncouth language used by Muthama. I am even ashamed to sit with him in the same House. He should respect the women of Kenya and apologise to the President, First Lady and the women of this country," said Ms Mugo.

Kamba teachings

Ms Wangare said it was disappointing to hear a leader like Muthama utter such words.

"It goes against even Kamba teachings. The words he uttered cannot be said in public. The women in Kenya are angered. Senators must also respect the Presidency," she said.

Nominated MP Johnson Sakaja and his Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichung'wa warned that if the police and the Director of Public Prosecution fail to take action against Muthama, they would institute his citizen arrest and prosecution.

"It is sad that CORD leaders lost focus in their rally," Mr Ichung'wa said.