Few questions about the Mungiki sect

Following the footsteps of Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, who asked former Ethics permanent secretary John Githongo 36 questions about the Anglo Leasing scandal, we today pose just a few 10 questions about Mungiki.

1. Why were members of the Mungiki, which had been purportedly outlawed after the killing of 21 people in Kariobangi, Nairobi allowed to hold a demonstration in the middle of the capital in the same year?

2. Why did the members perpetuate another orgy of blood letting in Nakuru as soon as the Narc government was sworn into office?

What did it take to end the killings, and what deals did government officials get into such that the then National Security minister, Dr. Chris Murungaru, could declare the sect “finished”

3. at the outset, Mungiki leaders claimed that it was a harmless cultural organization of young people who had a keen interest in snorting snuff, circumcising women and praying facing some mountain.

At what point did it start cutting off the heads of its defectors, killing “enemies”, having AK-47 rifles and murdering police officers?

4. How come the sect’s spokespeople nad officials – people who have no record of having put in an innocent’s day’s work anywhere – are suddenly living in custom-built multi-million shilling palaces?

5. The National Security Intelligence Service has records of conversations people have in bars.

How come it does not seem to have a clue over the Mungiki which has been extorting protection fees from Matatu operators, landlords and small business people?

6. Why have the police not investigated the backgrounds of people who have claimed links openly with Mungiki?

If investigations of this nature have been done, how come the public does not know?

7. Why did the then special programmes minister Njenga Karume meet with Mungiki leaders, when the sect was proscribed, to discuss mobilizing support for the “Yes” side during the constitution referendum in 2005?

8. Why is the Government of two minds regarding the method to adopt in dealing with a terror organization disguised as a religious sect?

Does this lend any credence to Mungiki’s boast in the past that it has recruited people in the Government, among them police officers and politicians?

9. Try and take over Nairobi’s Harambee Avenue and start collecting power charges and protection fees and see what will happen to you.

Why then is the Government abdicating security in sections of the city (and country) to groups? What is the motive?

10. Why is Mungiki, which is now no more than a tribal army, always most active in the years when there is an election?

And why are those of them arrested always charged with useless offences such as belonging to a prescribed organization instead of murder, assault, female genital mutilation and other offences for which the group is known?

These questions need not be answered in any particular order, but they require forthright and comprehensive responses from the Government that collects taxes to enable it to deal with this kind of nonsense. Any of those who defend Mungiki can also attempt.

Makokha’s Memos – Saturday Nation