PEN Kenya Press Statement on the Attack on Okiya Omtatah Okoiti

The vicious attack on activist Okoiti Omtatah

PEN Kenya condemns in the strongest spirit possible, the attack on the person of Okoiti Okiya Omtatah and the attempts and threats on his life which he has often spoken about. Regardless of the reasons for his attack, we know Omtatah to be a voice of free expression a political activist as well as a writer.

We know that he has lost a tooth before after an attack by the then Acting OCPD Of the Nairobi Police Station Richard Mugwai (Now transferred but who was promoted after he beat up several activists) and that case is documented. We know that he is a political activist and that he was now attacked outside the Nairobi Police station and he lies in hospital with a deep gash on his head and more teeth lost.

Silencing the voices of the outspoken is meant to instil fear in one and all. Insecurity in Kenya is a matter of grave concern. We urge one and all not to be intimidated and to condemn this case and others fearlessly as we look to an election year soon. We must be secure in Kenya and enjoy all our freedoms.

May justice be served to Omtatah and his attackers be brought to book. We must be the defenders of justice and peace since justice and peace have been prevented to be the shield and defender for many years now. We urge the police to pursue this matter with agency and provide security to secure the safety of Omtatah. Omtatah is Chair, Writers in Prison Committee, PEN Kenya; he is an award-winning playwright, columnist, a fearless human rights campaigner, and a committed society historian, and carrier of our national memory. We stand with Okiya Omtatah Okoiti, and offer our professional solidarity as a global family of writers.

Philo Ikonya
Austria,Vienna
09-10.2012
Member, PEN Kenya
Board Member, PEN International

Khainga O’Okwemba
PEN KENYA
Board Member, PEN African Network