Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, has defended his utterances on Wednesday, during a Special Senate Sitting to discuss the murder of Albert Ojwang, while in police custody.
While on the floor of the House, Abdul said that there has been an inconsistent response to police brutality cases and killings, warning that focusing on select incidents, while ignoring others, could cause divisions in the country.
The Senator singled out a recent case where he said that his Turkana counterpart had raised concerns about the killing of 40 fishermen, but there was no request for a special sitting to discuss the matter.
His utterances drew mixed reactions in the media and on social media, with some users accusing him of siding with police impunity, while others detested.
Speaking during a public event, Friday, in Garissa, Haji said that everybody has a right to his or her opinion on matters of national interests without fear of intimidation.
The Senator further decried that he has been for long accused of being a brother to people on matters of security, but was quick to say that he is a brother to many people in the country and should not be judged for charisma.
“If a politician decides to take a contrary opinion on what is popular, they are labelled and shamed in the media and the social media too. If somebody has a right to say what is popular and the freedom of speech, the contrary opinion should also be allowed and be respected,” Haji stressed.
“If people are saying that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police Lagat has been found guilty and should resign, those of us saying let the investigations be concluded and if he is found culpable, to step aside, where is the problem,” he posed.
The Garissa Senator further accused the media of taking his comments in Parliament out of context and proportion and failing to respect his democratic right to freedom of speech and opinion.
“The media should be a referee, a play-to-play commentator and a score keeper and to report as it is, fairly without taking sides. Nowadays, we have seen that the media, even in talk shows, are taking positions on the topics being discussed. This is unfair because we want a fair, just and impartial coverage and airtime,” he opined.
By Erick Kyalo
