MP apologises over hate speech

What you need to know:

  • The chairman of the committee supervising the reconciliation, Mr Moriss Dzoro, instructed the lawmaker to make a public apology in the national dailies and TV.
  • In a press conference overseen by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the Law society of Kenya, Mr Kuria said he was committed to stopping the trading of words with opposition politicians.
  • In July last year, the DPP wrote to the NCIC to review if statements made by Mr Kuria regarding the killings in Lamu constituted hate speech.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Monday apologised for linking certain communities to terrorism and violence.

In a press conference overseen by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and the Law society of Kenya, Mr Kuria said he was committed to stopping the trading of words with opposition politicians.

“Let us not burn this country using 40 words though a ceasefire cannot be unilateral,” he said.

He called on his social media friends to tone down on hate messages, saying making inflammatory remarks would not benefit anyone.

“That is not to say that when other leaders attack the government, I will be quiet. Every action attracts a reaction. I expect the same from these politicians,” he said.

He said if other politicians did not tone down, his apology would be in vain. “I want to unconditionally apologise to those I have offended. I will now make statements that unite this country.”

The chairman of the committee supervising the reconciliation, Mr Moriss Dzoro, instructed the lawmaker to make a public apology in the national dailies and TV.

In addition to the apologies, Mr Kuria was directed to promote national cohesion and integration. 

LSK Chief Executive Officer Apollo Mboya said the suit against the MP had not been dropped, pending the agreed mode of apology. 

In July last year, the DPP wrote to the NCIC to review if statements made by Mr Kuria regarding the killings in Lamu constituted hate speech.

Although the LSK agreed to conciliation talks, it set conditions that the Gatundu South MP was to meet before the process could be concluded.