Hate speech case against Mutahi Ngunyi to proceed

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has rejected a request to settle out of court a criminal case facing political scientist Mutahi Ngunyi.

A trial court was on Tuesday told that the NCIC and the Director of Public Prosecutions want the case to proceed to a full hearing.

Mr Ngunyi is charged with posting messages of ethnic contempt and disparaging Cord leader Raila Odinga and the Luo community on social media.

He has denied the charge of posting the messages on his Twitter page and is out on a Sh200,000 bond.

Prosecutors on Tuesday told Senior Principal Magistrate Martha Mutuku that they were ready to proceed with the hearing, but the defence asked for an adjournment to allow them more time to prepare for the case.

The case will be heard on March 22.