This archive report was first published on 13 January 2020.
Published on January 13, 2020, the Kenya Diaspora Alliance has expressed concern over the government's handling of Dr. Miguna Miguna, a lawyer and critic of the administration.
Dr. Miguna was deported from Kenya in March 2018 after a red alert was issued against him, barring his entry into the country. He claims to be a dual national, born in Kenya and holding Canadian citizenship.
Recently, Dr. Miguna was removed from a flight from Canada to Nairobi after a red alert was issued against him. The Kenya Diaspora Alliance has criticized the government for the 'unnecessary stand-off and human rights violations' of Dr. Miguna.
The alliance has asked the government to clarify who issued the red alert and why. Dr. Shem Ochuodho, the global chairperson of KDA, questioned the government's actions, saying, 'It would be good to establish the truth of who issued the red alert, for what reason and to what end. Was it IATA or the State (GoK)? If the latter, why are we creating a mountain out of an anthill, and making Miguna Miguna an undeserving martyr?'
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) adopted regulations to deal with unruly passengers in June 2014. These regulations may include airline bans, jail sentences, or fines. Kenya ratified the amendments last year, but the government's actions against Dr. Miguna have raised concerns.
Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna claimed that Dr. Miguna had been unruly, but there has been no indication that he was unruly on his aborted trip to Nairobi. The regulations cannot be applied retroactively, and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority denied issuing the red alert.
The government now argues that Dr. Miguna must apply for a passport replacement if he wants to travel back as a Kenyan or get a visa if he is to use a Canadian passport. The Kenya Diaspora Alliance fears that the maltreatment of Dr. Miguna could discourage the diaspora from investing back home, as they would fear suffering a similar fate.
