Gatundu South TNA aspirant Moses Kuria has been charged in a Nairobi court with hate speech. Kuria appeared before Chief Magistrate Doreen Mulekyo and denied three different counts of incitement to violence.
His lawyers had asked for a free bond but the prosecution objected noting the nature of charges.
He was granted a cash bail of Sh2 million and an alternative surety bond of Sh5 million and the hearing of the case was fixed for September 2.
The Director of Public Prosecutions had last week ordered for the prosecution of Kuria following recommendations by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission.
The vocal political activist was accused of having posted inflammatory remarks in a Facebook conversation.
The said work according to the State amounted into incitement to violence by implying it desirable to bring death and physical injury to a class of persons in Kenya.
In a bid to reduce heightened tension and political activities, a number of politicians from both the government and opposition have been ordered to record statements with the police.
The Law Society of Kenya had last week written to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, seeking to have Othaya MP Mary Wambui and her Starehe counterpart Maina Kamanda investigated for remarks they made recently bordering on incitement.
The DPP on Friday announced that he had ordered nine Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leaders to be summoned to record statements over hate speech.
The leaders are Senators Hassan Omar (Mombasa), Johnson Muthama (Machakos), James Orengo (Siaya), Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro, Members of Parliament TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), Simba Arati (Dagoretti), Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) and Suna’s Junet Mohammed.
Only Senators Ongoro, Omar and Suna MP Mohammed have so far recorded statement at Kilimani police station.
Others were not required to record statements as they were only mentioned but didn’t commit any offence, according to Orengo.
Capital FM
www.doitadigital.com