I am ready to face the law over hate speech claims Muthama

Machakos County Senator Johnstone Muthama has said he is ready to face the law concerning allegations of hate speech.

Muthama said he will prove his innocence on the matter saying his speech at the CORD rally at Uhuru Park does not amount to hate speech.

The Senator is expected in court next week to answer to charges of hate speech.

Speaking at Mwaani area in Makueni County, Muthama added that he only commented on the National Youth Service (NYS) corruption saga which has now been politicised.

His sentiments came after Milimani Court Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo ordered both Johnstone Muthama and activist Japheth Muroko to appear in court on October 15th to take plea over allegations of hate speech and incitement to violence that had been leveled against them.

Muthama, together with activist Muroko had moved to the High Court after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko who recommended they be charged with incitement to violence in regards to their utterances at Uhuru Park during CORD’s pro-teachers rally.

Muthama’s words at the rally, held on September 24 were seen to be expletive and inciting.

In his remarks which were described as indelicate, Muthama questioned the government’s willingness to deal with graft saying there had been lenience in the handling of corruption allegations against Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

Waiguru who has been linked with graft claims at the NYS which saw the ministry lose 791 million through fraudulent transactions.

“Recommendations were made after an investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations which called for the prosecution of 21 officials among them NYS Senior Deputy Director Adan Harakhe, four officials from the devolution ministry and others from NYS over fraud,” said Waiguru.

Muthama had presented himself at the DCI earlier but failed to record a statement saying he does not know the charges being leveled against him.