Former Chief Justice Dr. Willy Mutunga says he will travel to Canada to accompany deported Lawyer Miguna Miguna back to Kenya next month.
“I have decided to travel to Toronto, Canada, to accompany Mr. Miguna on his flight back to his motherland on 16 November 2021,” said the former Chief Justice.
Dr. Mutunga, who served as Kenya’s chief justice from 2011 through 2016, said his decision follows personal reflections and consultations with lawyers, human rights and justice defenders, progressive politicians and Mr. Miguna himself.
In a statement published Wednesday, Mutunga said he had made the decision for two main reasons:
“First is because of the continued, flagrant and reprehensible defiance of the Government of Kenya, its agencies and senior officials, against the numerous valid court orders in favour of Mr Miguna.”
“The second reason … is to support and defend the independence of our Judiciary, its authority and the people’s confidence in it,” he further stated.
President of the Law Society of Kenya Nelson Havi has also offered to accompany Willy Mutunga to Canada to bring Miguna back home.
“I am ready to accompany CJ Emeritus Dr Willy Mutunga to Canada to bring Miguna Miguna back home on November 16, 2021. The rule of law, respect for Court orders and the defense of the Constitution is the responsibility of all Kenyans in general and all leaders in particular,” said Havi on Wednesday.
Miguna Miguna was first deported in February 2018 after taking part in the swearing-in of ODM leader Raila as the ‘People’s President’ at Uhuru Park on January 30, 2018. He holds dual citizenship for Kenya and Canada, where he was deported.
“The Government of Kenya’s “red alerts” against Mr Miguna were issued illegally and in violation of not just his rights but also of international humanitarian and aviation laws. The issuance … is not only a blatant disregard for the rule of law, but a descent into autocracy,” said Mutunga, who has been very vocal about human rights.
