The MP said that the NCIC has been frustrating his efforts to seek audience with them in response to their summons issued in April this year/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 13 – Limuru MP Peter Mwathi on Monday accused the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) of malice in the way it conducted investigations on the hate-speech allegations against him.
The MP said that the NCIC has been frustrating his efforts to seek audience with them in response to their summons issued in April this year.
The lawmaker, who was responding to a directive for his prosecution by the DPP, said he learnt of the impending charges through the media.
Mwathi said he was abroad between April 15 and 30 on an official trip to South Africa and then India, yet the NCIC claims he appeared before it on April 17.
NCIC Secretary Hassan Mohammed wrote to Mwathi on June 4, cautioning the MP for failing to honour summons to appear before the commission on April 18.
“You were summoned to appear at the commission’s office on 17th April 2012 at 9am, which you did and promised to return the following day the 18th April 2012 with your legal representative. Take note that you failed to attend the aforementioned place at the date and time specified above.”
“That is not factual as I was out of the country at that time. I do not understand who it is they’re saying they met. I want them to tell me who they met,” said Mwathi.
The MP said he tried to book an appointment with the commission secretary to discuss the summons issued following complaints about hate speech that he made in Meru in February this year at a prayer meeting for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta who is facing charges at the International Criminal Court.
Mwathi said he then went to the NCIC offices in Nairobi’s Upper Hill Area, where he only found a receptionist.
“Whoever, it is, whether the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) or the NCIC, why are they doing their investigations in such a mysterious manner? I am a Kenyan and I deserve a right of reply,” Mwathi asserted.
“If we’re going to court, I also need my rights respected,” he added.
The Limuru MP added: “I need them to tell me what the hate speech was; and where it was made. I harbour no hate for any individual of any colour, race or creed. I remain truthful to myself and I have been focused in my utterances.”
The DPP on Sunday approved the arrest and arraignment of Mwathi and Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Jamleck Kamau for alleged hate speech.
The commission had been petitioned to investigate and prosecute the leaders over hate speech following remarks they had made at various rallies they attended a few months ago.
Mwathi is said to have made hate speech at a rally when he said Kikuyu politicians who do not support Uhuru Kenyatta will all fall ill.
He allegedly told former Cabinet Minister Joseph Kamotho that he fell ill as he was about to address a meeting in Murang’a, because he refused to support Kenyatta.
While saying that Kamotho is one of those trying to divide the Kikuyu community vote, he said that the former Mathioya MP should draw a lesson from former Cabinet Minister Njenga Karume who fell ill immediately he was installed a Kikuyu elder contrary to the traditions and against wishes of respected elders who had installed Kenyatta as their “king”.
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