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Four days in cell for MPs over hate speech, incitement


Eight politicians arrested over alleged hate speech and incitement to violence have been detained for four days.

The eight were arrested on Tuesday and will be detained at Kilimani, Gigiri, Pangani, Kileleshwa, Muthangari and Muthaiga police stations until Friday.

FLEX MUSCLE

The prosecution had asked chief magistrate Daniel Ogembo to flex the court’s muscle and detain them to stem rising political temperatures.

Making a case for the prosecution of the Jubilee and Cord legislators, Dr Leonard Maingi said the country was on the precipice of election related violence and some leaders have been on the offensive of intensified incitement.

“The court should take judicial notice that as we approach elections next year, incidences of hate speech, intolerance and outright incitement to violence are on the rise,” he told the court.

Gatundu MP Moses Kuria, Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu, Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Busia Woman Representative Florence Mutua, Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Nakuru East MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Kitutu Masaba MP Timothy Bosire and Kilifi Woman Representative Aisha Jumwa were taken to court on Tuesday over remarks they made at the weekend.

Starehe MP Maina Kamanda was on the receiving end when he attempted to enter the parked courtroom.

EJECTED

He was ejected amidst shouting. Mr Kuria also appeared to anger the crowd when he held Mr Waititu’s and Mr Ngunjiri’s hands and raised them.

They crowd booed but Cord leader Raila Odinga, who was in the courtroom, reprimanded the crowd and asked them to be calm.

Addressing the court, Dr Maingi said: “There are compelling reason for the respondents to continue being held in police custody pending conclusion  of investigations.”

Siaya Senator James Orengo — who was representing the Cord legislators — said there was no likelihood that the subjects would interfere with investigations.

However, the judge said: “Pre-trial detention maybe necessary to preserve public order.”