Jubilee activist and Meru businessman Mike Makarina has disputed claims that he uttered abusive words targeting Meru Woman Representative Kawira Mwangaza.
The activist, who is also the chairman of Persons Living with Disabilities in Meru County says the video circulating on Social Media purported to be authored by him is a creation of malicious persons on a mission to tarnish his name.
“Some wicked people created audio clips and combined them with my pictures to generate the trending video. I did not insult Kawira Mwangaza. In fact, I even requested her for a few minutes on Baite TV to address a few issues I feel she is not doing right,” says Mr. Makarina.
Makarina’s rant was in response to a video that surfaced online last month where Kawira Mwangaza was dancing with excited supporters, with circumcision related refrains mentioning Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
“I understand the pain of circumcision. I would like to address Kawira like a chokoraa. She might have undergone the cut, but I would like to ask her to respect Governor Kiraitu. She is jumping up and down dressed in dirty petticoats,…” said Mr. Makarina.
Several Meru residents have staged protests in response to the sentiments, terming them an insult to women and the entire Meru community.
“We will not keep silent as Makarina keeps insulting women. Our wives still wear those petticoats. We feel insulted as family men. He must publicly apologize to Kawira Mwangaza,” says Jacob Kalulu, a resident of Mukundu village in Nyaki East Ward.
Paternity
A few days ago, a young woman publicly claimed that the controversial businessman sired a child with her. In response, Makarina says he has never denied responsibility for the child, adding that children are a blessing from God.
Speaking during a brief interview on Meru FM on Monday (21st February), Makarina says he has a right to enjoy a normal life like everybody else in the society, and that a person living with disability siring children should not be news to anyone.
“These same people are always mocking persons with disabilities. I thought it should bring happiness to everyone that a person with disability has a child. And the child did not inherit any disability. I don’t understand why it should be used against me,” Makarina says.
The self styled activist insists that he will not be intimidated by Mwangaza’s supporters in his efforts to champion for the rights of persons living with disabilities in Meru.
Makarina has severally accused Mwangaza of taking advantage of the disadvantaged members of the community for personal gain, citing several cases.
“She (Kawira) collects money from several people in the guise of helping disabled persons in her Okolea campaigns but the money never gets to the intended people. For instance, I contributed to help Muriu. The Governor also contributed. But Muriu has never received the money to date. He cannot afford a single meal,” says Makarina.
The author is a Social Media Strategist, a Digital Media Expert with interest in Governance and Social Welfare.
