Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna is set for what could be an explosive interview with Citizen TV, following the media house's grant of his written request.

Miguna had requested on Wednesday, July 2, that Citizen TV’s top bosses interview him as a response to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s interview on the same station.

As per Miguna, the former powerful CS, who recently disclosed his intention to vie for president in the 2027 General Election, was not properly questioned on the blips of his tenure in government from 2013 to 2022. 

“Because Citizen TV gave Fred Okeng’o Matiang’i an exclusive platform to lie about all the atrocities he presided over between 2013 and 2022 with hardly any significant challenges by Sam Gituku, I request an opportunity for an exclusive interview as a rejoinder because I was one of his victims,” Miguna stated.

Outspoken lawyer Miguna Miguna speaks to the media after landing at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

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However, the lawyer noted that he preferred having the interview done live but remotely since he is currently based in Ontario, Canada.

Hours later, Miguna shared a message from Linus Kaikai, the Head of the Editorial Department at Royal Media Services (RMS), which owns Citizen TV, that his request had been granted and that an interview would be conducted in the next seven days.

“Wachira (Waruru—Managing Director at RMS) and I have received your request for an interview on Citizen TV. We are delighted to confirm that you will be availed the interview opportunity within the next 7 days. See you live on Citizen TV!” the message read.

Miguna and Matiang’i’s conflict stemmed from the former’s deportation from Kenya in 2018, under Matiang’i’s orders. The catalyst was due to Miguna’s prominent role in the symbolic  "swearing-in" of opposition leader Raila Odinga as the "People's President" at Uhuru Park. Miguna administered the oath. 

This was done on January 30, 2018, following the disputed 2017 presidential election, which Raila lost to Uhuru Kenyatta.

The Jubilee government, then led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto, viewed this act as treasonous and a direct challenge to state authority. A swift crackdown on those involved ensued.

Miguna Miguna was arrested on February 2, 2018, and held incommunicado for several days. He was accused of treason for his role in the ceremony.

During the fiasco, Matiang’i argued that Miguna Miguna was not a Kenyan citizen. The government claimed he had lost his Kenyan citizenship when he acquired Canadian citizenship in 1988 (under the old constitution, which did not permit dual citizenship) and had not properly re-registered his Kenyan citizenship after the 2010 Constitution that allowed for dual nationality. 

Miguna vehemently rejected these claims, insisting he was a Kenyan citizen by birth and had never renounced his citizenship. He argued that the government's actions were illegal and politically motivated to silence him.

Despite numerous court orders for his release and production in court, Miguna was forcefully deported to Canada in February 2018. He was allegedly drugged and bundled onto a plane. 

He later attempted to return in March 2018 but faced another dramatic standoff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was detained for days and eventually forcibly deported again to Dubai.

Miguna Miguna attends the Mashujaa Day celebrations party at State House Nairobi on Thursday, October 20, 2022.

William Ruto