Controversial Juja MP Stephen Ndichu has discredited the proscribed militant religious cum-political sect, Mungiki, describing some of their practices as archaic.

Ndichu said some of the traditional practices professed by Mungiki were unpalatable and have no place in a multi-ethnic and modern society. He said Kenyans will be more receptive to the cult if its leaders stopped advocating female genital mutilation and tobacco sniffing.

He, however, said despite their militancy on some contentious issues, Mungiki followers were Kenyans and should be accommodated as they also had a role to play in nation-building.

Ndichu, who was speaking in Karatina at the weekend, said the self-styled militia groups had attacked and beaten Timothy Njoya and were never prosecuted.

"We do not want violence in the country but we will not allow some people to unleash terror just because they are not getting the support they require to realise their political dreams," he said.

The MP has in the recent past been attacked by his colleagues for allegedly supporting Mungiki which is an unregistered organisation already proscribed by the Government.