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Ongeri Denies Insult Claims
- Details
- Published on Monday, 23 July 2007 00:51
Prof. Ongeri said he had no chance to say anything because he was stoned immediately after viewing the body of South Mugirango MP Enock Magara and greeting his parents.
He was speaking from his Nairobi Hospital sick bed.
Former Finance Minister Simeon Nyachae, who has been blamed for the chaos at the burial, said Prof Ongeri abused mourners, inviting trouble. He was supported by MPs Henry Obwocha (West Mugirango) and Jimmy Angwenyi (Kitutu Chache).
Meanwhile, three people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Nyanza police boss David Korir said the suspects, who were spotted by plainclothes officers during the skirmishes, are being held for interrogation. Prof Ongeri, whom doctors said would be discharged in the course of the week, asked: "Why should I abuse people who were cheering me."
This contradicted Mr. Nyachae, who said Sunday: "When mourners demanded that Prof Ongeri leave the funeral as they had done to Cabinet Minister Chris Obure and Bomachoge MP Zephania Nyang'wara, he (Ongeri) reprimanded them in Ekegusii mbachinga kiaba bakonyogerera? (who are these stupid people making noise at me?)".
He said his mission to the home was to console Mr. Magara's family and not to engage in politics. "I am a Christian and I don't engage in politics in burials." Prof Ongeri said a young boy who saw him soaked in blood showed his bodyguards an escape route. As the war of words between Mr. Nyachae and Prof Ongeri continued, a section of Kisii Kanu politicians, led by the area Kanu chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Asanyo, defended the Health Minister.
Mr. Asanyo and the party's organising secretary, Mr. John Anunda, were joined by Kisii deputy mayor Livingstone Omoke in condemning Mr. Nyachae for "telling lies".
Mr. Asanyo defended the government against criticism that it failed to provide security for a situation they knew was going to be volatile, saying it was a burial ceremony "which is normally peaceful". Mr. Korir said: "Our men in plain clothes spotted these suspects unleashing terror on wananchi. They are now in custody undergoing interrogations on the violence." he said.
Mr. Korir said police were seeking more suspects, who had gone underground. "We have a list of wanted people and our officers are out to fish them out of their hideouts." he said.
The police boss denied claims that police compromised security, saying many plainclothes and anti-riot officers were deployed to the burial.
"We knew there was tension and posted a big team of officers in plain clothes as well as those from the anti riot unit in full gear. So the issue of compromised security is misplaced." he said.
Mr. Korir said the violence went on for long because officers at the scene only had firearms and they could not use them on the crowd. He said their counterparts in riot gear had been posted some distance away to avoid confrontation with the mourners.
