German lawmaker Stefan Liebich jumped to self-styled National Resistance Movement (NRM) leader Miguna Miguna's defence as he criticized the Kenyan government over its treatment of the fiery lawyer.
Liebich blasted Kenyan authorities for prioritizing financial relations over human rights, further referencing protests in Kasarani, Nairobi that left one person dead and at least three seriously wounded.
The lawmaker who chairs the Bundestag's (German Federal Parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee further described the political situation in the country as 'dire', referencing the disputed General Elections in 2017.
Liebich shared his thoughts after holding a meeting with Miguna in Berlin, Germany on Thursday, January 16.
"The political situation in Kenya is dire. According to the European Union Election Observation Mission to Kenya, 2017 elections were at least partially fraudulent, according to Amnesty, human rights are being violated by the government. I met with the opposition politician Miguna Miguna.
"He has tried entering Kenya several times, but to no avail. Court orders are being ignored, and currently, airlines refuse flying him to any African country as he’d be an unruly passenger. Flights to any other countries are fine, however.
"Sadly, Auswaertiges Amt (German Diplomatic Office), is silent so far. No matter what, Germany should prioritise human rights issues over financial relations. This is not the case with Kenya. Several peaceful protesters have been shot at by police forces in past days, four have died," he wrote on Twitter.
It was Miguna's second meeting with a German lawmaker after holding discussions with Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Chairman in Berlin, Kai Wegner, on Monday, January 13.
Miguna explained that he was on a mission to build international solidarity for his cause after being barred from two flights from Frankfurt, Germany and Paris, France to Nairobi with both airlines (Lufthansa and Air France respectively) citing a request from Kenyan authorities not to allow him on the flights.
"Held solidarity discussions with Stefan Liebich, Member of the German Bundestag.
"Defeating an entrenched and organized criminal tyrannical enterprise like the one headed by Uhuru Kenyatta requires fearlessness, ideological clarity and consistent struggle," Miguna wrote after his meeting with Liebich.
Justice John Mativo on Monday, January 13 ordered the attorney general to provide a written opinion on the government's continued disregard of court orders over Miguna's return.
Mativo directed that the AG, as a friend to the court, should shed light on the matter either by bringing the written opinion himself or sending a representative with it. The matter will be mentioned on Tuesday, January 21.
