Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama records statement over hate speech claims

Nairobi, Kenya: Machakos Senator Johnston Muthama Tuesday recorded his statement with police over claims of hate speech.

Muthama, who was accompanied by his lawyer Harun Ndubi, arrived at Kilimani police station at about 10.30 am.

Other CORD leaders recorded their statements last week.

He was accompanied by senators Moses Wetangula, James Orengo and a host of MPs.

Muthama said he will not stop talking the truth and warned the government against intimidating them.

“We will not fear or stop talking about issues affecting Kenyans at large. Talking about tribalism in Kenya is not hate speech because it is there,” said Muthama.

The questioning followed a directive by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Keriako Tobiko that he, and other Cord leaders be grilled.

Last Monday, three Cord legislators were questioned over similar allegations.

But senators Hassan Omar, Elizabeth Ongoro and MP Junet Mohamed termed their summons as a form of intimidation by the Jubilee government and denied claims their remarks amounted to hate speech.

Out of nine CORD affiliated lawmakers that the DPP had ordered be investigated, only four would be required by police.

Earlier on, Tobiko had ordered police to question Siaya’s Senator James Orengo, his Kakamega counterpart Dr Boni Khalwale and MPs Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem), Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka) and Simba Arati (Dagoretti North) following a complaint.

Police said they will close the file and forward it to the DPP for action.

Whereas the DPP had ordered that nine other TNA allied MPs be grilled too, police are yet to do so.

Officers handling the case say they are yet to get the MPs even though a team has been assembled at Kamukunji Police Station.

But Starehe’s Maina Kamanda said police had told them to wait for a while.

“We have been ready to record our statements but the police said we wait as they gather more evidence. We will go there if and when we are required,” said Kamanda.

Police said they wanted the MPs led by Kamanda to report to Kamkunji Police Station for statements.

Kamanda, Wambui and six others have been accused of making inflammatory statements during a rally at Muthurwa market.

They include Kareke Mbiuki (Maara), Francis Waititu (Juja), Chege Njoroge (Kasarani), Ben Mutura (Makadara), Richard Tongi (Nyaribari Chache), Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu) and George Theuri (Embakasi West).

It also emerged officers from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission is also investigating the case.

Sources at the commission said they have obtained recorded material that captured the legislators making the alleged remarks.

The government has launched a clampdown on what it terms as war against hate speech amid claims it was a scheme by the Jubilee government to intimidate and silence the opposition.

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) had said allegations by the two TNA MPs in the mainstream media has the potential to incite the public to violence.