Kuria, Waititu appear for probe on hate speech claims

Three Members of Parliament have presented themselves for interrogations at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Kiambu Road over hate speech allegations.

In press statement, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet had directed that Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), and his Kabete colleague Ferdinand Waititu appear for interrogation over conveying messages “said to be laced with ethnic hatred, vilification and border on incitement”.

Also accused are Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and Kilifi Woman Rep Aisha Juma.

The rest are yet to appear.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Francis ole Kaparo had said it would summon Mr Kuria and Mr Ngunjiri, adding that it would also petition the court to cancel Mr Kuria’s bond in a pending hate speech case.

Mr Kaparo said: “I am pleading with the courts to treat hate speech cases seriously and to be wise to the political climate of this country at the moment, before it is too late.” Mr Kuria has three ongoing court cases related to hate mongering.

Mr Kuria allegedly called for the assassination of Cord leader Raila Odinga in remarks he is said to have made at the Safaricom Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

The Gatundu South MP, in a video that has gone viral, said there was a risk that Mr Odinga could be shot dead during the weekly protests called by his coalition to push for the removal of the electoral commissioners.

SHOOTING RAILA

Speaking in his mother tongue, Mr Kuria on Sunday said: “We have told them that tomorrow when they hold their demonstrations, they should tell us what routes they plan to use. You know the reason for this? They could send someone with a gun, he shoots Raila in the head, Raila dies and then they say I did it.

I haven’t asked any of you to go do it but Raila should take care because he can even get shot. We cannot be forever troubled by one person.

He can get shot, we bury him next Monday, they throw stones for a week and Kenya moves on, isn’t that so? They should tell Raila that he can eat maize and things cool down and Kenya moves on.”

Mr Kuria spoke at a thanksgiving party of Mr Njogu wa Njoroge, a radio presenter who works for Kameme FM, a vernacular radio station.

Mr Njoroge was celebrating 15 years as a radio presenter. Among those who attended the celebrations were Devolution and Planning Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu and Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo.

Mr Ngunjiri on the other hand was captured on video telling a group of young people to ensure that members of a certain community leave Nakuru Town and its environs "immediately".

The MP spoke on Saturday when he addressed rowdy youths who were attempting to storm a hotel in Nakuru where Mr Odinga was holding a meeting with local professionals and party officials.

They investigation is headed by detective John Kariuki.

Additionally, Director of Criminal Investigations Ndegwa Muhoro has said if they acquire adequate information, he will instruct the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge the legislators this week.

Under Section 96 of the Penal Code, a person convicted of incitement is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

Reported by Stella Cherono, Zaddock Angira, Jacquiline Kubania and Joseph Openda