Kibera MP defends Morara Kebaso's right to criticize government

By Robert Mutasi

Kibera Member of Parliament Peter Orero came out to condemn the recent arrest of lawyer and activist Morara Kebaso, saying that citizens should not be punished for their outcry against government wrongdoings.

Orero made the remarks in an interview with K24 TV on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, following the circulation of a video showing Kebaso's arrest on Monday, September 30.

"Nobody is allowed to speak his or her mind without restriction. And I think Morara is just one of those few Kenyans who have come out to talk about certain ills that are inflicting on this government," Orero said, adding that criticism of the government should not be equated with opposition.

"Just to speak your mind surely does not mean that you are against the government. You are just criticizing the ills of that government." Kebaso is a known lawyer and human rights activist whose voice has been loud on the concerns of human rights by the government.

Recently, he has gained notoriety through his activism, especially in highlighting a sodomy case in Mombasa.

In the K24 interview, Orero referred to a video related to the incident in Mombasa that Kebaso had shared, showing the abuse of an individual.

"I watched a video yesterday about… what happened in that sodomy in Mombasa. Almost two, three minutes of video. And if you were to watch it as a person, you get traumatized by what happened," Orero said, pointing into the graphic nature of the content and the serious allegations it raised.

Kebaso's arrest has been met with public outcry, as civil rights organizations and activists have panned the move as an attack on free speech.

Many supporters of Kebaso feel that his arrest is a political ploy to quiet one of the government's staunchest critics.

This development comes when concerns about government overreach-and suppression of dissent-are growing, including Orero's defense for Kebaso.

The arrest has questioned the state of civil liberties in Kenya, particularly in the protection of the right to criticize government policies without retaliation.

At the time of filing this report, no official statement had been made by the authorities explaining the basis for Kebaso's arrest.

Meanwhile, human rights groups are demanding the immediate release of Anyang' Nyong'o's adviser, saying that his detention is unconstitutional and that Kebaso was just performing his right to free speech by exposing government failures.