I’m not Kabuga, says man in Isiolo
A photo grab of NTV shot of a man it said is Rwandan fugitive Felicien Kabuga,a timber trader in Isiolo Daniel Muthee claims it his photo taken in March
A 69 year old timber merchant in Isiolo Daniel Muthee Ngeera yesterday filed a complaint with the police alleging that the NTV and Daily Nation were using his photograph purporting it to be that of Rwandan genocide fugitive Felicien Kabuga. Ngeera has also instructed his lawyer to take legal proceedings against the media house. He said the use of his photo— in a blue shirt and black baseball cap—which the media house claimed was that of Kabuga, had put his life in danger as there was a Sh400 million bounty on the real Kabuga.
The elderly man refused to have his photo taken and he and his two sons chased away journalists who had gone to interview him. He claimed he had reported the matter to the Eastern provincial police boss Marcus Ocholla and also reported that his life was in danger. According to an occurrence book seen by the Star, the old man claims that the news bulletins by NTV were likely to subject him to harassment by the security agents and had tainted his reputation and image as it portrayed him as a killer.
Ngeere said the photo in question was taken on March 22 this year at his Tree Mark timber yard in Isiolo. The retired Isiolo water officer who has lived and worked in the town for years was described by fellow traders as a hardworking and dedicated businessman who had contributed alot in the development of the town. Ngeere, who was born in Kibirichia in Meru town where his father owned a petrol station as well as other businesses, was deployed to Isiolo by the Ministry of Water where he worked until he retired a few years ago. He has made Isiolo his home.
Isiolo police boss Daniel Kamanza confirmed that the old man had filed a complaint with his office. He said Ngeere had a right to seek further redress through the courts. He however did not confirm whether the police will provide Ngeere with security following a complaint that a vehicle with an unknown number of people had camped overnight near his house at Water Estate in Isiolo. Yesterday, Ngeere and his two sons who help him at the timber yard closed the business early due to concerns about their safety.