Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Moses Kuria, has addressed the controversy surrounding the oath remarks he made earlier in the week, attracting sharp criticism from Kenyans.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Kuria stated that his sentiments were taken out of context and they were not directed to former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, or any community, adding that he held no grudge against the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) boss.
The Legislator acknowledged that his remarks had caused an uproar among Kenyans, however, arguing that he should not be condemned.
Kuria explained that he was only trying to make people have a better understanding of what happened in 1969 and the effects it has had in politics over the years.
"As I have said before, I have nothing personal against Raila Odinga and more so the Luo Community. I was only referring to a 1969 oath that was administered before I was born and whose details can be given by Captain Kungu Muigai, nephew to Jomo Kenyatta.
"To all those vilifying me I say this, these historical incidents explain so much of what is happening today then you wonder why. Throwing stones at me is not the wise thing to do. Trying to learn something from what I am saying, is more helpful," he stated.
However, he hit out at Raila for not speaking against the oath, claiming that some of the oath-takers were forced to partake in it.
"The 1969 Oath was not free. People were abducted by force and they still had to pay for it. The oath is part of Kenya's historical injustice. Raila Odinga speaks against historical injustices only when it suits him," he claimed.
Kuria's response came after the Azimio La Umoja presidential aspirant castigated the Legislator over the remarks, stating that it amounted to ethnic profiling.
Raila explained that the sentiments were ill-intended and were unnecessary.
After Kuria made the remarks on social media, leaders and Kenyans in general condemned him for the remarks which many termed as unnecessary.
Others demanded an apology from Kuria, terming his remarks as bordering hate speech.
"MK when you were in the hospital, you should have taken advantage of the Bunge medical cover to undergo a Full Medical check-up. Again, in 1969 my friend you were not even conceived," Kieni MP, Kanini Kega, stated.
"Moses Kuria is the posterchild of hate speech and ethnic contempt. That he has never been held to account for any of his previous transgressions is an indictment on National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC)," Edwin Sifuna echoed.
