UASIN GISHU,Kenya, Jan, 9 – Meru senator Mithika Linturi is yet again on the wrong side of the law, the legislator was arrested Saturday evening by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over derogatory remarks he made during a political rally on Saturday in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu county.
The detectives who arrested him are attached to the National Cohesion And Integration Commission (NCIC).
The Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji in a statement Saturday,directed that a comprehensive investigation be undertaken expeditiously, “on utterances made by Hon. Mithika Linturi. We wish to inform members of public that persons found culpable of hate speech and incitement will be prosecuted,”
Detectives now have up until January 14,2022 to submit an investigation file on the matter.
It is not yet clear where Linturi will be detained but sleuths on the case say he will either be held in Nakuru or Nairobi.
He is expected to be questioned on his alleged utterances which are said to be tantamount to hate speech and incitement.
In a statement, the DPP said Linturi’s remarks have the potential of inciting “feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination.”
After being grilled and processed by police, Linturi is expected to be arraigned on Monday where detectives will request for more time to detain him in order to complete their investigations.
What did Linturi say?
“Watu wa Uasin Gishu msicheze na Kenya, na kile na waomba ni kwamba madoa madoa yale mulionayo hapa muweze kuondoa,” reads the remarks, as cited by the DPP in his statement.
According to Linturi who issued an apology stating that his remarks were not meant to incite or propagate hate- his utterances were only directed to those not supporting DP Ruto.
“Today (Saturday) while addressing the UDA rally at Eldoret, I expressed myself using words which in certain context, have acquired sinister political overtones and come to be associated with incitement and hate speech.At that moment, I was vigorously urging our supporters to offer full support to UDA candidates in this year’s election, and was oblivious of the possibility that my choice of words might assume negative meaning,” he said.
‘Madoadoa’ has a pejorative connotation in the country as it evokes dark memories of the horrific incidents of the 2007-2008 post election violence (PEV) where thousands of Kenyans lost their lives as nearly 600,000 became internal displaced.
Linturi made the remarks at a political rally for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, held at Eldoret Sports Club where Deputy President William Ruto reiterated his aspirations to become Kenya’s fifth president, officially flagging off his national campaign to State House.
“On further reflection, and upon the advise of my colleagues, I regretfully concede that my choice of words was unfortunate. I therefore apologise, unreservedly, for the discomfort they may have created,” said Linturi.
Politicians and Human Rights Activists condemned the utterances calling on investigative agencies to take immediate action.
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