By Ann Njogu

Ladies and gentlemen, I am aware that not everyone faced with my current circumstances calls a Press Conference as I have done.  However, the allegations about me put into sharp focus the larger issues that I have had the privilege and opportunity to stand up for.  For the sake of those larger issues and taking cognizance of the fact that the matter is before the court and that I should not therefore delve into it, I would like to place the following on record:

•That I am an ordinary daughter who values and cherishes her relationship with her parents.
•As such, I am terribly distraught and very distressed by the allegations against my son and I. I have great love and respect for my parents and  I acknowledge with great humility that I am who I am  because of my parents’  many years of nurturing and support . For that reason alone, I would never and have never violated any of my father’s rights and or acted inappropriately or with disrespect to anyone of my parents!
•I am a mother of two young adults and I would not expect any less from them towards me,   their father, their grandparents or anyone else for that matter.
•Over my numerous years as a human rights activist and defender,  I have fought for the human rights, social justice as well as equality of all. I am not just a strong believer in these rights but have been committed to realizing them at all levels. This means that I fervently believe that a threat to one individuals’ human right is a threat to all people’s rights.   I have not deviated from these beliefs, ideals and standards and have no intention of deviating least of all where my parents are concerned.
•My commitment to living and subjecting myself to the new constitution has meant that I respect, promote and protect the same at all times, at all levels, and in all ways possible. For me this has not   simply been a choice I have made but a duty and obligation I am committed to. To fail to live by these tenets would be a betrayal of my own struggles; a betrayal of my own commitment and a betrayal of my own DNA of Non tolerance to Violence! This would also be tantamount to a betrayal of the struggles of the many women whose rights I advocate for.
•I have sacrificed and paid a heavy price for these ideals. I continue to sacrifice and pay a heavy price for the same and I seek to be held accountable to those    tenets   when due process on the matter is completed.

Happy belated fathers’ day to my dad and indeed all fathers of this Great Nation.
Signed  by Ann Njogu in Nairobi this 18th June, 2012