NAIROBI,Kenya, Jan, 13 – Former Laikipia North Member of Parliament Mathew Lempurkel was on Thursday charged afresh over hate speech. He is accused of issuing inflammatory statements during a live TV programme last year.
Appearing before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi he was on the first count accused of uttering abusive and threatening remarks towards members of the Kikuyu community.
His words investigating officers said caused ethnic hatred in Laikipia county.
In the second count, he is accused of uttering abusive and threatening remarks towards members of the white community.
This actions are led to have spurred ethnic hatred in Laikipia as well.
Lempurkel however denied the charges and was released on a Sh150,000 cash bail.
DPP Targets Legislators Accused of Spewing Hate
The DPP is now going for people accused of spreading hatred, in a renewed effort to restore sanity during this year’s electioneering period.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has in the past been on the spot for doing too little or nothing, to stop hate mongers.
And when they act, critics say they have been biased. Even with that, the commission has been quick to issue cautionary statements and summons.
The latest to be put on DPP’s radar is Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, over remarks he made over the weekend, at a rally in Eldoret.
While rooting for Deputy President William Ruto’s led United Democratic Alliance party, the legislator is said to have made racial references against Kesses Member of Parliament Dr. Swarup Mishra.
In a viral clip, the Senator is seen speaking using his local dialect, saying the MP should not be voted for because he is an Indian.
“The alleged remarks captured in the video clip make reference to the racial identity of an elected leader, which utterances could incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination and may be contrary to Article (33)2 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and section 13 and 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008,” reads the DPP statement.
Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has 7 days to have the Senator probed and the file handed over to the DPP for review.
Also, on police radar following the directive of the DPP is on Abubakar Amana over remarks he made in December last year in Lamu.
“The alleged remarks captured in the video clip refer to certain parts of Kenya belonging to certain tribes, and tribal background being a pre-condition for seeking an elective position in these areas,” the DPP said.
Police have 7 days to probe Amana, for the file to be reviewed by the DPP.
Meanwhile, Kitutu Chache South Member of parliament Richard Onyonka on Tuesday presented himself to the Director of Criminal investigation Offices in Kisii.
MP Onyonka is in trouble over the remarks he made last week against DP Ruto.
The MP was referred to DCI Headquarters in Nairobi.
Still, on Monday, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi was granted by court Sh2 million cash bail, after two nights in police custody.
Linturi was also directed to be reporting to the DCI headquarters on a weekly basis and barred from contacting witnesses.
He was also gagged from commenting about the case.
Linturi landed in trouble for using the term ‘madoadoa’ in reference to people who are not supporting UDA.
He has since apologized after widespread condemnation from across the country, including by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
On Monday, DP Ruto urged his supporters to mindful of their language, to avoid planting seeds of discord among Kenyans.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
