The Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko has ordered the immediate arrest of Kiambu County Governor William Kabogo for interrogation over hate-speech remarks made over the weekend targeted at CORD leader Raila Odinga.
In a press statement, the DPP said that Kabogo was captured uttering words that amounted to hate speech or ethnic contempt and therefore should be interrogated immediately.
“Following the publication of a clip in which Mr William Kabogo was captured uttering words that could amount to hate speech, ethnic contempt and incitement to violence, the DPP has today pursuant to article 157 of the Constitution directed the inspector general of police and the national Cohesion and Integration Commission to cause the person to be immediately interrogated and speedy investigations conducted,” read part of the statement.
Mr Kabogo is said to have demeaned uncircumcised people using derogatory words (the Luo community, to whom Raila belongs, does not traditionally circumcise their men). He becomes the latest politician to fall on the wrong side of the law over hates speech forming part of what is now dubbed “the hate speech brigade.”
He joins his colleague politicians, former Nairobi mayor, George Aladwa, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and Machakos County Senator, Johnston Muthama, who have cases pending in Courts over hate-speech related accusations.
The Kiambu governor was recorded uttering words purported to be in defense of the President.
“Nyinyi watu wa magazeti mwambie Raila awache mambo ya upuzi. Sisi hatutaki upuzi. Na kama wanataka kupeleka watu kortini mimi niko tayari na niko na pesa ya kujitetea,” the Governor said, speaking in Kiswahili speaking at Thika Stadium on Saturday during musician John Demathew’s celebration of 30 years in the industry.
This translates to: “You media people should tell Raila to stop being a nuisance. And if they want to take people to court, I am ready to go, I have the money to defend myself).”
RAILA: HERE IS WHY I BLAME UHURU KENYATTA
