Kenya: Maathai Receives Death Threats
Allafrica.com
January 21, 2008
Nobel Peace Laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai, has received death threats and now believes her life could be in danger.
Maathai said she believes the threats were politically motivated after she took a stand she says is perceived as undermining President Kibaki's presidency.
The threats, which were sent to her cell-phone in three short text messages (SMS), come barely a month after her security detail was withdrawn.
In a news conference held at her Green Belt Movement offices, the former Tetu MP said an anonymous person sent her a message warning her that she would be the next to be killed after Embakasi MP, Melitus Mugabe Were and his Ainamoi counterpart, Kimutai Too.
The 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai, at a press conference in Nairobi, on Wednesday. She expressed fear for her life after receiving threatening messages through her mobile phone.
The text messages that were sent on Monday night at around 12.30am read: "Because of opposing the Government all times, Prof Wangari Maathai, we have decided to look for your head very soon. You are number three after Were. Chunga maisha yako."
Maathai has reported the matter to the Central Police Station and has asked the Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali to re-instate her security.
"The Government should tell my why they took away my security detail. I have written to the Commissioner of Police, but have received no reply," she said.
Her personal assistant, Ms Lillian Muchungu, also received a similar text message.
The internationally renowned activist says she suspects she is being targeted after failing to support President Kibaki.
"As Kenyans continue to seek peace and reconciliation, the country remains divided between those perceived to be supporting the status quo and those backing ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga. I have always remained neutral, but some people feel I should have supported their side," she said.
She added: "I am not taking the threats lightly. I believe it is not Mungiki, but a lunatic somewhere who is not happy with what I am doing."
She noted that the divisions in the current political crisis had assumed that one must support the position taken by their ethnic community or the political camp their ethnic community and leaders were affiliated to.
She stated that as a Nobel Peace Laureate, she would not support any political positions taken by the two sides, but would always support ideologies that were fair and just.
Maathai said she believes the threats were politically motivated after she took a stand she says is perceived as undermining President Kibaki's presidency.
The threats, which were sent to her cell-phone in three short text messages (SMS), come barely a month after her security detail was withdrawn.
In a news conference held at her Green Belt Movement offices, the former Tetu MP said an anonymous person sent her a message warning her that she would be the next to be killed after Embakasi MP, Melitus Mugabe Were and his Ainamoi counterpart, Kimutai Too.
The 2004 Nobel Peace Laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai, at a press conference in Nairobi, on Wednesday. She expressed fear for her life after receiving threatening messages through her mobile phone.
The text messages that were sent on Monday night at around 12.30am read: "Because of opposing the Government all times, Prof Wangari Maathai, we have decided to look for your head very soon. You are number three after Were. Chunga maisha yako."
Maathai has reported the matter to the Central Police Station and has asked the Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali to re-instate her security.
"The Government should tell my why they took away my security detail. I have written to the Commissioner of Police, but have received no reply," she said.
Her personal assistant, Ms Lillian Muchungu, also received a similar text message.
The internationally renowned activist says she suspects she is being targeted after failing to support President Kibaki.
"As Kenyans continue to seek peace and reconciliation, the country remains divided between those perceived to be supporting the status quo and those backing ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga. I have always remained neutral, but some people feel I should have supported their side," she said.
She added: "I am not taking the threats lightly. I believe it is not Mungiki, but a lunatic somewhere who is not happy with what I am doing."
She noted that the divisions in the current political crisis had assumed that one must support the position taken by their ethnic community or the political camp their ethnic community and leaders were affiliated to.
She stated that as a Nobel Peace Laureate, she would not support any political positions taken by the two sides, but would always support ideologies that were fair and just.