Eight MPs accused of hate speech in Milimani Court

Eight legislators detained over allegations of hate speech have already been taken to Milimani Law Courts where they will be charged Friday morning.

The lawmakers from the Jubilee and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) were delivered to Milimani Law Courts in police vehicles at 5:45am Friday.

The eight were delivered to the court at that hour to avoid cases of supporters thronging police stations and causing chaos.

MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Junet Mohamed (Suna East), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi Women Rep), Florence Mutua (Busia Women Rep) and Senator Johnstone Muthama (Machakos) were locked up at the Milimani Court cells awaiting the opening of the courts for the hearing of their case.

The MPs were being detained at Pangani and Muthaiga police stations from Tuesday after they were arrested for allegedly making statements deemed inciteful or bordering hate speech.

On Thursday, CORD leaders had threatened to resume mass protests on Monday if its legislators were not released within 24 hours unconditionally.

CORD leader Raila Odinga had accused the government of violating the detained MPs rights by denying the access to advocates of choice, access to food and other basic needs.

However, President Uhuru Kenyatta – speaking in Brussels, Belgium – said that his administration will not tolerate cases of hate speech or incitement to violence.

“My message is that inciteful statements from whoever they come from will face the full hand of the law as long as I am President,” said the seemingly furious Uhuru.

He noted that incitement to violence and hate speech led to loss of lives in the past and that he will not allow the country to go that direction at whatever cost.

“I will do everything in my power as President to ensure Kenya never goes down that road. Regardless of who you are, no Kenyan will have an opportunity to incite another on the basis of religion and tribe. Kenya wants to move forward.”