NAIROBI: Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria recently spewed vitriol at a public meeting. What is more disheartening is the fact that the citizens who were gathered there cheered him on as he spoke.
Subsequent reactions on social media clearly demonstrated how many were taken aback by the MP's reckless utterances. Demands that action be taken against him have only received feeble responses.
The MP came out and offered what somewhat seemed to be an apology. He then went ahead and said that his comments were misconstrued and misinterpreted by the media and Kenyans and did not regret what he said.
The public waits to see if further action will be taken against him.
This is not the first time a politician claims that he or she was misquoted even when there is overwhelming recorded evidence of the same.
READ MORE
Can Kuria and Owalo reform service delivery?
Broad-based government was my idea, Moses Kuria claims
Seemingly, politicians in Kenya get away with careless words most of which can be viewed as hate speech. Some end up being arraigned in court, apologising and then it is politics as usual.
Hate speech spewers in the country are yet to face consequences. We cannot read the minds of the politicians but we can hear and read their words.
If we do not pay close attention to what is being said and written, then we are in danger of losing touch with authenticity. And if we are unable to determine what is real, we become a country of lost souls.
Careless talk is a danger to our country’s unity.
