Top politicians face arrest over hate talk

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko. Nine lawmakers are to be summoned over hate speech, the Director of Public Prosecutions has ordered. Photo | PHOEBE OKALL | FILE 

In Summary

• Complaints have been raised in connection with hate speech made by some political leaders during recent public rallies in Nairobi, Mombasa and Migori.
• The DPP’s office has already directed that Mombasa County Woman Representative Ms Mishi Mboko be arrested and charged with hate speech.
• Maina Kamanda challenged LSK Secretary/Chief Executive Officer Mr Apollo Mboya to be courageous and recommend the prosecution of Cord leader Raila Odinga, whom he accused of making some unsavoury comments.

By ISAAC ONGIRI
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Nine lawmakers are to be summoned over hate speech, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mr Keriako Tobiko has ordered.

 

The directive to the police to summon them was issued amid pressure on the government to clamp down on hate mongers and inciters.

“Today, I have received a police file on hate speech against senators Hassan Omar (Mombasa), Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) and Elizabeth Ongoro (nominated),” Mr Tobiko said.

The DPP further said that Siaya Senator Mr James Orengo, his Kakamega counterpart Dr Boni Khalwale and MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) and Mr Junet Mohammed (Suna East) should also be summoned.

However, Mr Omar Friday told the Nation that they had not been notified of any summons following Mr Tobiko’s order.
“If we are notified, then we will record our statements in accordance with the law,” Mr Omar said.

Mr Muthama said: “I know they are looking for me, but they had to summon other people so that it doesn’t appear like I am the target. Cord has millions of members and it will continue to exist even if they arrest me.”

Complaints have been raised in connection with hate speech made by some political leaders during recent public rallies in Nairobi, Mombasa and Migori.

The DPP’s office has already directed that Mombasa County Woman Representative Ms Mishi Mboko be arrested and charged with hate speech.

Political activist Mr Moses Kuria also faces a similar fate.

Starehe MP Mr Maina Kamanda, who has been accused of making inflammatory statements during a rally at Muthurwa market recently , Friday came out fighting to clear his name of the allegations.

“I didn’t mean to incite our people. What I said was that as an elected leader, my responsibility is to defend the government and urge the people to defend it because it was democratically elected,” he said.

PARTISAN LSK

He accused the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) of being partisan in its push for prosecution of politicians accused of hate speech.

“LSK is being unfair. It is pushing the Opposition’s agenda and I urge the DPP not to take it seriously,” Mr Kamanda said.

He challenged LSK Secretary/Chief Executive Officer Mr Apollo Mboya to be courageous and recommend the prosecution of Cord leader Raila Odinga, whom he accused of making some unsavoury comments.

Mr Mboya had asked Mr Tobiko to initiate investigations into Mr Kamanda and his Othaya counterpart Ms Mary Wambui for inciting their supporters during the rally at the Muthurwa market.

Mr Kamanda also denied he had threatened Bungoma Senator Mr Moses Wetangula.