Aladwa to appear in court over die of joy remarks

Former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa is set to appear before a Nairobi court on Friday to answer to charges of incitement to violence.

The Nairobi ODM chairman is expected to take a plea before Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo after a successful application by the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) Keriako Tobiko to charge him.

Aladwa was recorded on Mashujaa Day in Kibera allegedly inciting the public to violence after the 2017 General Elections.

“2017 imekaribia na sisi kama watu wa ODM tumebaki na risasi moja…this time round the outcome of the election ikiwa tumeshinda na watunyang’anye wacha kiumane..Raila ndio awe President lazima watu wakufe kiasi…,” Aladwa was recorded as saying.

The statement loosely translates: “2017 is near and as ODM we are left with one bullet. This time round if Raila Odinga wins and he is denied victory through rigging of the elections things will turn ugly. People must die for Raila to become President…”)

The former Nairobi mayor, however, insisted that his utterances at were taken out of context saying he meant that people would ‘die’ of joy.

Aladwa appeared before Justice Joseph Onguto for a mention of the case in which he was awarded an anticipatory bail after successful application when he was arrested in Nairobi.

Through his lawyers, Aladwa told the court that the petition was not ready and he undertook to file within seven days so that they are replied to by the parties sued within seven days.

By consent, the prosecution and defence agreed that Aladwa remains on the initial bond terms of 20,000 granted on October 23rd by the High Court.

Aladwa, though his lawyers, said he is not opposed to his prosecution and has undertaken to appear before a magistrate court when called upon to plead to chargers leveled against him.

The country has lately witnessed a spiral of hate speech cases with Kiambu Governor William Kabogo the latest entry on the list.

Governor Kabogo came under sharp criticism after a video emerged of him making what has been termed as inciting statements targeting CORD leader Raila Odinga and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.

The clip taken last Sunday at Thika Stadium during the 30-year celebration of musician John de Matthew’s music career, shows Kabogo threatening Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama with dire consequences if he does not stop insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“If Muthama insults (President) Uhuru again; we will go for him in his mother’s house,” Kabogo was seen as saying.

He further accused Mr Odinga of apathy saying his decisions are deprived of wisdom.

The Kiambu Governor also dared the media to report on his utterances saying he has enough money to defend himself in court if need be.

The governor recorded a statement on Monday at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection to the allegations.