Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji at the ODPP headquarters in Nairobi. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has directed police boss Hillary Mutyambai to probe video clips circulating on social media, showing Deputy President William Ruto making certain utterances during a rally in Uasin Gishu County.
Haji says they are in possession of two videos, one of DP alleging that State is out to ensure he doesn't win the August 9 Election and is using chiefs and local administrators to frustrate his bid.
In the second clip, Ruto allegedly says that "should people of a particular community cause chaos, they will be taught a lesson."
"The alleged remarks and or doctored/altered video clips are capable of propagating ethnic incitement, vilification of others or incitement to cause harm contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution," Haji said in a statement Thursday.
A fact check by The Standard however reveals that the widely-circulated video shared by some Azimio allied politicians was manipulated.
The clips tweeted by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and the ODM party have since been brought down, as they are in contradiction with Twitter's policy.
"The clips may cause panic, chaos or violence among citizens, contrary to Section 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cyber Crimes Act, 2018," said Haji.
Mutyambai has been asked to investigate the publication, authenticity and source of the videos and file a report within seven days.
