Why Are You Speaking For Uhuru- Kimani Ichung'wah's Clash With Waihiga Mwaura

The drama commenced when Waihiga interjected the MP when he was giving a point, a matter that seemed to have annoyed him.

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Mar 29, 2023 - 10:34
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Why Are You Speaking For Uhuru- Kimani Ichung'wah's Clash With Waihiga Mwaura
A photo collage of Citizen TV anchor Waihiga Mwaura and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah during an interview on March 28, 2023. /CITIZEN TV

National Assembly Leader of the Majority Kimani Ichung'wah's clash with Citizen TV anchor Waihiga Mwaura became the key highlight of the media interview on Tuesday, March 28 in the wake of the invasion of the Northlands City Farm in Ruiru, Kiambu County belonging to the family of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The drama commenced when Waihiga interjected the MP when he was giving a point, a matter that seemed to have annoyed him. The Newsnight show host had asked him to provide evidence that former President Uhuru financed the Azimio La Umoja protests. 

Ichung'wah, however, admitted to not bringing the evidence with him to the show, further accusing Waihiga of speaking on his behalf, and that if Uhuru had an issue with his remarks he has the right to take him to court. 

A collage of Northlands farm belonging to the family of former President Uhuru Kenyatta on fire on March 27, 2023. /FILE

"Has Uhuru Kenyatta told you that he has a problem with me saying he is the financer? Why are you speaking for him? You should have told me that you were coming to interview me on evidence base interrogation," the MP lamented.

Waihiga however stood his ground and explained to the MP that he was invited for the interview knowing very well that he would have to account for the remarks he made prior to the invasion.

"We invited you here. Newsnight is an accountability show, and you knew you would be asked these things," Waihiga responded.

As though that was not enough, the MP accused Citizen TV of editing out footage from an earlier press briefing he had in Parliament, and only airing the bit where he spoke about the attack on Northlands Farm.

The MP defended that he had only issued a cautionary statement to the Kenyatta family because as a politician, he understood people's sentiments on the ground.

"The concerns that are there with the people is that the people financing this anarchy are financing this anarchy yet their businesses are going on as usual, nothing is happening to their businesses," the legislator said.

He had also challenged Waihiga to explain why the media did not focus much on the destruction of property during the March 20 demonstrations.

According to Mwaura, the majority leader had requested to be hosted on the show to clear the air after he was accused of playing a part in the raid through his remarks, and during the heated clash, threatened to walk out of the interview in the middle.

"You will allow me to speak or ask me to walk out, Waihiga, because I cannot be saying something, and you interject. Why did you invite me here?" he posed.

"It is you who asked to be here," Wahiga said as Ichung'wah affirmed and asked to be allowed to make his comments. 

During the interview, the Kikuyu MP also accused the host of constantly interjecting him as he claimed his fellow guest - Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, was being given more time.

However, Waihiga maintained that he was fair in the interview and also interjected Osotsi when he needed clarification. At one point, Osostsi was also asked to retract his statements regarding the security of Raila as he could not also table any evidence to substantiate his claims.

Ichung'wah in the middle of charged emotions exposed his unwavering loyalty to Citizen TV as part of the reason to request to appear on Newsnight, hinting at having his last interview at the station.

"I am a big consumer of this station and that is why I asked to appear on this show."

"This could be my last show on this TV but for heaven's sake, I'll tell you I don't care. There are things we must do and say for the sake of our country. If even if you the media become part of a script to create anarchy and chaos in this country we are going to lose this country," he cautioned.

Watch the full interview: