MPs to face prosecution over hate speech

By Cyrus Ombati

Another minister is expected in court anytime for hate speech after the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko approved his prosecution.

DPP Tobiko approved the arrest and arraignment of Nairobi Metropolitan minister Jamleck Kamau and Limuru MP Peter Mwathi for alleged hate speech.

Tobiko however rejected the proposal by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to have Makadara MP Gideon Mbuvi Sonko also prosecuted.

The commission had been petitioned to investigate and prosecute the three over hate speech following remarks they had made at various rallies they attended few months ago.

Kamau who is the Kigumo MP is said to have made hate speech at one of the many “prayer” meetings that were being held for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

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His remarks were captured and handed over to the NCIC who asked Tobiko in their recommendation to approve his prosecution.

The hate speech case against Cabinet minister Chirau Mwakwere is expected to be mentioned in court Monday morning after it failed to take off Thursday last week . He has been summoned to appear in court over the case.

Mwathi is said to have made hate speech at a rally when he said Kikuyu politicians who do not support Uhuru Kenyatta will all fall ill.

He told former Cabinet minister Joseph Kamotho recently that he fell ill as he was about to address a meeting in Murang’a because he refused to support Uhuru.

While saying that Kamotho is one of those trying to divide the Kikuyu community vote, he said that Kamotho should draw a lesson from former Cabinet minister Njenga Karume who fell ill immediately he was installed a Kikuyu elder contrary to the traditions and against wishes of respected elders who had installed Uhuru as their "king".

Mwathi said Kamotho had been led astray by Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Gichugu MP Martha Karua both who have decided not to go by their constituents' wish.

Mwathi who has since denied the claims was opposed to Njenga being installed GEMA elder. Founded in 1967, GEMA became one of the most powerful ethnic-based associations in Kenya.

The DPP’s move is set to cause fear and uproar among some politicians who may claim he is targeting them. But he said on Sunday he is following law and evidence available.

“There is evidence to sustain their charges,” he said.

The file of the two has been sent to the CID who are expeted to arraign them after asking for summons.