Miguna Defends Yvonne Okwara Against Angry Kenyans

A collage of vocal lawyer Miguna Miguna and Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara
A collage of vocal lawyer Miguna Miguna and Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara
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Controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna on Friday, April 3, came to the defence of Citizen TV news anchor Yvonne Okwara who was trolled on Twitter for the better part of the day.

Miguna, who is never shy of sharing his opinions, called out Kenyans who were attacking her, stating that Yvonne had a right to express her opinion.

"Yvonne Okwara is entitled to her opinions, just like all of you are. Stop attacking Yvonne for expressing her opinions.

"Democracy, the rule of law and constitutionalism demand no less. Yvonne is one of the most thoughtful Kenyans alive," Miguna stated.

Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara at the Lord Erroll-Gourmet Restaurant on February 16, 2020
Citizen TV anchor Yvonne Okwara at the Lord Erroll-Gourmet Restaurant on February 16, 2020
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He warned netizens against curtailing the news anchor's opinions through intimidation, harassment, threats or unwarranted attacks on her. 

"Present your own opinions robustly. Interrogate and deconstruct hers with reason and logic. We need to expand our democratic space and guard against tyranny," Miguna wrote on his Twitter page.

In conclusion, the vocal lawyer agreed with netizens that Yvonne went beyond the pale by calling for the arrest of social media users for expressing their opinions.

"Finally, I agree that Yvonne went overboard by calling for the arrest of #KOT who had equally expressed their opinions as prescribed by the Bill of Rights. 

"However, we should critique that aspect of her anti-democratic opinion through reason; not vigilantism," he stated.

The news anchor ignited an outburst online following her rant on Citizen TV's News Gang show on Thursday night, April 2.

In the show, Yvonne agreed with Health CS Mutahi Kagwe that sleuths should arrest all social media users who mocked Covid-19 survivors Brenda Cherotich and Brian Orinda.

Okwara argued that the attacks were directed only at women, igniting a gender debate online. 

It is her remarks that raffled a few feathers on social media, making her trend at number one the whole of Friday.

During a presser on Thursday, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe condemned the act in the strongest terms possible urging Kenyans to shun the behaviour he claimed was unpalatable.

"I am deeply saddened that a section of Kenyans has taken to social media to make a mockery. Yesterday, I informed you about our two young people who have recovered from this deadly Coronavirus disease.

"However, some have decided to trivialise our efforts and in so doing, trivialise two Kenyans. It is shocking that some have decided to make fun and brand our efforts as a PR Exercise," stated Kagwe.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses a press conference on Covid-19 in Nairobi in March 2020
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe addresses a press conference on Covid-19 in Nairobi in March 2020
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