Canada issues rare warning to Kenya after Miguna’s torture and deportation

The Canadian government has issued a rare warning to the Kenyan government over the continued crackdown on Opposition politicians and on the media.

The Canadian government issued the warning on Wednesday, shortly after one of its citizens, Miguna Miguna was forcefully exiled after being detained for five days.

Miguna, who is a Kenyan by birth, holds dual citizenship but was ejected out of the country after the Ministry of Interior Coordination unilaterally claimed he had “denounced” his local citizenship.

The outspoken lawyer claimed that he was tortured and treated "like a beast", in the five days that he spent as a guest of the state.

“As a friend to Kenya, Canada is deeply concerned by some of the Government of Kenya’s recent actions, including the unlawful detention of opposition members without due process or access to counsel, and the shutdown of, and restrictions on, certain media outlets,” the Global affairs department stated.

Canada supported Chief Justice David Maraga’s call for the executive arm of government to agree to constitutionalism and abide by court orders.

“We urge the Government of Kenya to uphold its constitution, to allow freedom of expression and to respect court orders, including those that order the release of those granted bail,” the statement concluded.