Popular Kikuyu musician Kamande wa Kioi will be charged in court next Tuesday after a probe by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on alleged hate speech in one of his songs.

 

Kioi was presented at the NCIC offices yesterday, where he recorded a statement and was also made aware of the charges he will be facing.

 

A commission officer who spoke to Capital FM News on condition of anonymity said they had already translated the content of his song and established that it was hate speech.

 

“We have had him for close to three hours, in line with natural justice we summoned him to appear, he did and he has been informed of the charges against him,” said the officer, who refused to disclose the charges preferred against the musician.

 

After he was made aware of the charges he was arrested and taken to the Kilimani police station.

 

The source said: “Kioi has pleaded with the commission not to recommend his arrest and had wanted to be taken back to Kilimani and be released on bond.”

 

Kioi who was also companied by a man he said was his manager refused to speak to the press who had camped outside the NCIC office in Upper Hill.

 

The other two musicians John DeMathew, Muigai wa Njoroge, also under investigation failed to honor summons to appear, and police are said to be looking for them.

 

The NCIC flagged the songs, Mwaka wa Hiti’ by DeMathew, Muigai wa Njoroge’s ‘Hague bound’ and ‘Uhuru ni Witu’ by Kamande wa Kioi.

 

According to the National Cohesion and Integration Act, if the musicians are found guilty of hate speech, they will be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or a fine of Sh1 million or both.

 

A radio station that plays the music would be liable to a fine not exceeding Sh1 million according to the Act.

(By LORDRICK MAYABI)