KENYA: LDP CALLS FOR ARREST OF ‘ARMENIAN’ BROTHERS
The Standard, Kenya
March 20 2006
The Liberal Democratic Party yesterday demanded that the Government
arrests two alleged Armenians whom it described as a security threat.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s regional offices in
Kisumu, Muhoroni MP Prof Ayiecho Olweny said deporting Artur Margaryan
was not the best course of action.
“People are usually arrested pending investigations. What makes these
men whose citizenry remains a mystery to be above the law?” Prof
Olweny said.
The MP, who read a party statement, vowed to lead a demonstration at
the lakeside town if the Government failed to arrest the two.
Olweny spoke barely 24 hours after police in Kisumu denied LDP
supporters permission to demonstrate in Kisumu on the matter.
The MP said the alleged mercenaries had committed a crime by forging
passports, which made their stay illegal, and by driving cars with
covered number plates.
“This is a matter of national security and we challenge the Government
to crack the whip before we take to the streets,” Olweny said.
Nyanza Professional Caucus chairman John Olago-Aluoch and LDP officials
from the region, Dave Okwatch, Isaiah Onyango, Joshua Nyamori and
Odunga Mamba also attended the Press conference.
Olago-Aluoch said the foreigners should be prosecuted for impersonation
and claiming to be related to the Armenian President.
“Artur has gone to the extent of claiming President Kibaki is aware
of their presence and businesses in Kenya, a claim State House has
denied,” Olago-Aluoch said.
The leaders took issue with the law enforcers for blocking their
attempt to hold a protest against the foreigners’ presence in the
country.
“The Public Order Act requires us to notify the police 24 hours before
holding a demo, which we did yesterday in vain,” Prof Olweny said.
The legislator demanded that Ms Winfred Wangui, who is alleged to
be a business partner of the two, be required explain the activities
they are engaged in.