By Dickens Wasonga

Leaders continued to condemn attacks on Raila Odinga’s former adviser on coalition matters Miguna Miguna by those opposed to a controversial book ” PEELING BACK THE MASK” which he authored.

The National Alliance Party Secretary General, Onyango Oloo has condemned attacks on former Odinga’s aide across the country terming it as primitive and a manifestation of political intolerance among some Kenyans.

Speaking in Kisumu on Monday Oloo whose party is led by Uhuru Kenyatta said the attacks and humiliation Miguna was subjected to in Nakuru, Kisumu and Mombasa was unwarranted and asked those opposed to his views in the controversial book “Peeling Back the Mask” to keep off the meetings instead of disrupting them.

He said every Kenyan had a constitutional right to freely express their opinion, especially on issues touching on leadership and integrity without being harassed and as such, Miguna should be allowed to enjoy such rights.

“Kenya has institutions that can effectively deal with Miguna if anybody feels he has infringed on their rights. The police and other security agencies can be called upon if necessary but hooligans have been left to have a field day visiting terror on the man”, he said.

Oloo said it was unfair for the police to fail to prosecute those who were captured on TV footage molesting Miguna in the three towns he visited in a bid to promote his book.

Since he embarked on his mission to promote the book in the counties a month after it was launched in Nairobi, Miguna has got very hostile receptions across the regions so far visited with Nyeri, president Khaki’s home turf being the only exception.

The TNA Secretary General said Kenya should not be allowed to go back to the dark days when freedom of speech was curtailed through unorthodox means and even state machinery.

He took issue with the Prime Minister, Raila Odinga for not coming out to condemn the attacks on Miguna by people believed to be his supporters.

Other leaders who have since spoke against attacks on the author includes Nark- Kenya presidential candidate Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa of New Ford Kenya, William Ruto of United Republican Party among others.

Oloo at the same time called on political leaders to preach peace as the country heads to the general elections, adding that violence so far witnessed in certain parts of the country such as Wajir , Moyale and Tana River areas which left several people dead and others displaced could be traced to careless utterances by some political leaders.

He said it was this kind of charged political environment flamed by reckless rhetoric that saw Kenya plunge into chaos after the 2007 general elections.

The TNA Secretary General challenged the State security agents to be proactive rather than wait until people get killed before they deploy officers to the ground when the damage is already done.

About working as G7 alliance Oloo said his party TNA was yet to enter into any legal merger or coalition with any political party and as such they were strategically placing themselves to capture the Presidency.

END.