NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 15 – An Assistant Minister and two legislators were arrested on Tuesday over incitement remarks they allegedly made last week while campaigning against the proposed Constitution.
Roads Assistant Minister Dr Wilfred Machage, MPs Joshua Kutuny of Cherangany and Mt Elgon’s Fred Kapondi were being held at the CID headquarters along Kiambu road.
They were picked up shortly before 9 am and escorted to the CID headquarters for questioning.
“We have arrested an assistant Minister and two MP’s over hate speech, they may appear in court tomorrow [Wednesday],” Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said.
He said the investigation will also target “any other legislator found making speeches bordering on incitement” and was non-committal on whether Higher Education Minister William Ruto was to be summoned.
“We are not targeting any specific person, we are warning those inciting and peddling untruth and hate speeches that stern action will be taken as provided in the National Cohesion and Integration Act 2008,” he told reporters at a media briefing.
President Mwai Kibaki recently ordered the police and commissioners of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to take stern action against any leader found to be inciting Kenyans, regardless of his or her status.
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