Minister Denies Blocking Standard Group Probe

Internal Security minister John Michuki has denied frustrating the efforts of a Parliamentary committee probing the raid on the Standard Group.

Instead, Michuki accused the chairman of the Departmental Committee on Administration of Justice and Legal Affairs, MP Paul Muite, of politicising matters of national security. In a statement to the Press, Michuki said Muite had violated the Standing Orders and disregarded the provisions of the Powers and Privileges Act Cap 6. He said he had launched a formal complaint to the Attorney General Amos Wako on the committee's unfairness.

On Monday, Muite claimed that Michuki was undermining the committee's bid to finalise the report on the attack. The committee alleged that Michuki had directed Police Commissioner Maj-Gen Hussein Ali and the CID director, John Kamau, to ignore summons to appear before it.

Democratic freedom

But Michuki said he appeared before the Committee on March 17.

"During the session at Parliament Buildings, I ably responded to all the questions asked and also provided the required information to members of the committee," he said.

In another letter to media, Michuki sought to assure Kenyans that the Government would not infringe on their democratic freedom nor interfere with their operations "without undue cause".

The Liberal Democratic Party criticised Michuki over a remark that he would not hesitate to order another raid on media. In a statement after the party's Parliamentary Group meeting on Wednesday, the MPs warned Michuki against intimidating the media through State sponsorestories/200605170101.htmld "terrorism".

And the Police Commissioner has said he would soon release the findings over the raid at Standard Group premises. Ali was speaking at Kiganjo Police College, where he attended a one-day seminar on a new training curriculum, which proposes radical changes.

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Meanwhile, the Government will provide armed police officers to guard media houses that may feel threatened following last week's attack on Hope FM station.

On Monday, the Head of the Civil Service, Mr Francis Muthaura, met a group of media owners to assure them of the Government's commitment to protecting their interests. But Muthaura's assurance stood in stark irony to the raid on the Standard Group, on March 2, by hooded officers.

His assurance also came only a day after Internal Security minister John Michuki threatened to launch another attack should he feel that State security was threatened.

Already, four officers are guarding the Hope FM offices daily after the station was attacked at weekend. The head of the Nairobi Pentecostal Church, Pastor David Oginde, confirmed that the meeting took place and that they were assured of security from the Government.

"The Government called us to give assurance that private property would not be raided like it happened here," he said.

On Wednesday, officials from the International Centre for Reconciliation Ministry condemned the raid.

"There is need for tolerance and such an attack compounded with loss of life should be condemned by all," said Rev Canon Justin Welby.

Rev Welby is in the country to attend a meeting to reconcile Muslims and Christians.