Afew months ago, Starehe MP honourable Jaguar made some rather troubling statements about “foreigners” who had “invaded” local markets in his constituency. These sentiments were vocalized while he was touring Kirinyaga Road:
”IF YOU ASSESS OUR MARKETS, UGANDANS AND TANZANIANS HAVE TAKEN OVER OUR BUSINESSES… NOW WE ARE SAYING ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. IF A 24-HOUR ULTIMATUM IS NOT ENOUGH FOR THEM TO BE DEPORTED, WE WILL REMOVE THEM AND WE’LL BEAT THEM UP AND WE WILL NOT FEAR ANYONE,” HE WAS FILMED SAYING.
He then fumbled as he beat a hasty retreat when those comments attracted more heat than he could stomach -and like the true politician he has become, he -let me say bent the truth- saying he was speaking in reference to Chinese individuals:
“My sentiments echoed yesterday with a directive to C.S Matiang’i was meant for the Chinese who have invaded our markets making businesses almost unbearable bearing for our citizens. “I AM NOT AGAINST ANY REGIONAL UNIONS THAT ARE MEANT TO PROMOTE BOTH LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRADE.”
My sentiments echoed yesterday with a directive to C.S Matiang’i was meant for the Chinese who have invaded our markets making businesses almost unbearable bearing for our citizens.I am not against any regional unions that are meant to promote both local and regional trade.
— Hon. Jaguar (@RealJaguarKenya) June 25, 2019
It is interesting that though Jaguar is in Parliament, a place where he can push for policy changes that will protect his constituents from the stiff competition they are complaining of from other Africans, even though he can lobby for tax breaks for them, Jaguar would rather appeal to their baser instincts of jealousy rather than seek lasting solution. Then you will get a situation like in South Africa where Soth Africans are killing foreign Africans (immigrants) of all nationality but mainly Nigerians.
AY goes after Jaguar for his xenophobic statements
Jaguar arrested just outside parliament after remarks on foreigners
I am done preaching. This is not the platform to use to call out Jaguar beyond stating the obvious; his sentiments could have led to the madness we are seeing in South Africa.
