CS Magoha apologises to journalist, Muslims over 'Al Shabaab' remark

Magoha is said to have visited the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) on Thursday where he met Muslim leaders and the affected journalist.

According to National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) Chairman Abdullahi Abdi, the CS regretted his sentiments and called for the leaders to pardon him.

“Muslim leaders and the affected Nation Media Journalist met with the CS for Education Professor George Magoha at his request at the DPP’s office,” reads the statement.

“The CS apologised to us and to the lady, Rukiya (The journalist) directly. His words were ‘you judge me and am ready to accept your verdict’,” said Abdi.

The NAMLEF chair who describes the apology as a display of humility now wants the larger Islam community to vindicate the CS.

"He humbled himself in front of us. He apologised to the lady directly and to us on behalf of the Umma. I believe the apology was sincere and ask the Muslim umma to accept it. We the leaders have accepted the apology and Rukiya too on behalf of the Umma,” added the statement.

This follows criticism by political leaders, the clergy and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) who have been calling out the Cabinet Secretary over the utterances.

MCK CEO David Omwoyo on Wednesday urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ensure that Magoha issues an unconditional apology, withdraws the unfortunate remarks and rescinds his directives against the smooth operation of media.

During the event on Monday, Magoha in the now-viral video allegedly implied that the said NTV reporter might have ties to outlawed terror group Al-Shabaab owing to the fact that she was donning a hijab, a head garment that is typically worn by Muslim women.

He said: “Kwanza wewe unatoka wapi? Who are you representing? Because if you’re representing Al-Shabaab I will not answer you.”