Like Linturi, MP Richard Onyonka Is Now In Hot Soup. This Is Why

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 10- Police have been given 7 days to investigate Kitutu Chahe Member of Parliament Richard Onyonka over hate speech.

This follows a viral video of the legislator, where he is seen issuing claiming that minority communities were are a target in Rift Valley like it was the case in 2007-2008 post-election violence.

The violence claimed more than 1,000 lives across the country and left 600,000 others internally displaced.

Onyonka had been angered by Meru Senator Mithika Linturi’s ‘Madoadoa’ remarks.

While Linturi said the remarks had been blown of context, the MP like many others have, said it was a warning to those who did not support Deputy President William Ruto.

Linturi spoke over the weekend during a mega rally in Eldoret Sports Club.

The Meru legislator is still in police custody after he was arrested on Sunday morning in Nakuru.

For a second night, he will spend the night in custody, after he failed to take a plea on Monday.

The DPP in a statement on Monday said Onyoka’s remarks have the potential of infringing on Section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008.

The letter is addressed to Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai.

“The alleged remarks captured in the video clip may be contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, which provides that the right of freedom of expression does not extend to – propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy for hatred,” reads a section of the letter.

The Deputy President has since called on law-enforcing agencies to target all inciters, regardless of their political affiliation.

He asked the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) members to “mind their language’ while addressing political rallies.