Missing witnesses delay hate speech case against Kuria, Waititu
The hearing of a case in which two Jubilee legislators were charged with offenses relating to hate speech failed to kick off Monday morning after witnesses failed to turn up in court.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Kabete’s Ferdinand Waititu were present in court for the start of the hearing of the case in which they were charged together with six other legislators including those from the opposition.
However Prosecution requested court to have the case adjourned to a later date since the expected witnesses had not turned up as expected.
Through lawyer Dancun Ondimu, prosecution explained that one of the witnesses, a police officer, had travelled upcountry over the weekend and had not returned to the city.
But the MPs, through lawyers Cliff Ombeta and Harrison Kinyanjui, protested the request to adjourn the matter and instead called for the case to be closed for lack of seriousness from the part of the Prosecution.
And Magistrate Charity Oluoch declined to have the case closed but warned prosecution saying this was the last adjournment of the matter if it has to proceed.
She also issued summons for the two inspectors- Benson Gicheru and Jackson Cheboi who were expected to testify toda, to appear in court on Wednesday.
The case will be mentioned on October 5 to confirm the next hearing date and availability of the said witnesses.
