Waititu in court to answer incitement charges

Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu has complied with orders that he appears before court to answer incitement to violence charges.

He arrived at the magistrate court at 8.30am Thursday ready to take plea before senior principal magistrate Paul Biwott.

The subdued MP, who was in handcuffs, could be seen consulting with his lawyer, Evans Ondieki, in low tones.

On Wednesday, the Water assistant minister was ordered to appear before the magistrate court.

High Court judge Mumbi Ngugi directed Mr Waititu to "surrender himself by 9.00am today (Thursday) to plead to the charge as framed by the prosecution".

If charged, the MP will stand suspended from his government position.

Earlier directive

Before the MP could take plea, High Court judge Isaac Lenaola Thursday morning cautioned Mr Waititu that he risks incurring the wrath of the court for contravening an earlier directive to steer clear of trouble with the law.

"When you were before this court on July 25, I told you that you'll get into trouble with this court if you get into any trouble with the law? " asked the judge.

"Yes," answered Mr Waititu.

The MP was appearing before the judge for the mention of a case in which he is accused of inciting violence in July.

"Do you remember me telling you not to get into any trouble because this will affect the proceedings in this case?” posed Justice Lenaola.

"Yes. But your honour nobody died in the Kayole violence as it has been alleged," answered the subdued MP.

The judge then ordered the MP to first take his plea before the magistrate court and then appear before him at midday.

Additional reporting by Leonard Mutinda