Kenya: MPs charged with hate speech, inciting violence

By Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) – After being arrested on Wednesday, eight Kenyan legislators were charged Friday with incitement to violence and hate speech in the capital Nairobi.

The legislators – five from the opposition, and three from the ruling Jubilee party – were brought to court early Friday under heavy security. Anti-riot vehicles were stationed around the court, ready to prevent opposition supporters, who had thronged the court, from accessing the area.

Brought before Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo at the Milimani law courts, all eight defendants denied the charges.

Lawyers for the legislators – Johnson Muthama, Junet Mohamed, Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Kimani Ngunjiri, Florence Mutua, Timothy Bosire, and Aisha Jumwa – seek to have the accused granted bail but the prosecution argued against the applications, saying that it is likely they will repeat the same offences.

After initially denying bail, the court is set to deliver another bail judgement later on Friday.

This comes as opposition leader Raila Odinga on Thursday demanded the immediate release of all its members of Parliament without charge or any other conditions, warning of “consequences” otherwise.

The opposition has vowed to resume on Monday their nationwide demonstrations and protests, which have so far claimed the lives of more than five people, left many injured, and destroyed property worth millions of dollars.

The opposition also says that it will declare CORD opposition legislators to be political prisoners and hold a public rally and vigil at the Freedom Corner on Saturday, followed by a prayer service for the political prisoners in the town of Machakos on Sunday.