Mombasa Woman Rep Mishi Mboko charged with incitement

Mombasa County Woman Representative Mishi Juma Mboko with her lawyer and leaders after she denied charges against her. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]

MOMBASA COUNTY: Mombasa Woman Representative Mishi Juma Mboko Monday appeared before Mombasa High Court to answer to charges of incitement to violence and disobedience of law.

Mboko was accused that on June 1 this year within Mombasa County she allegedly said: "Kenyans are going to bring revolution for this country. Enough is enough, we are tired as Kenyans! Revolution is with the people and sovereignty is with the people. Revolution is with the people. People's power! People's power."

She was also accused inciting ethnic hatred contrary to the National Cohesion and Integrity Act. She denied all the charges.

The prosecution further accused her of saying: "There are two tribes that think they own this country and we want to tell them that chuma chao tunacho." These words, the police argued, were intended to incite feelings of contempt and ethnic hatred.

Mishi, who appeared before local magistrate Maxwel Gicheru was escorted to court by CORD leaders, including Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and Senator Hassan Omar.

State counsel Alex Muteti argued that Mishi should not be free on bond arguing that the charges levelled against her were serious. He said the State will present the footage of the alleged incitement message in court as evidence.

However, CORD Senator James Orengo, representing the accused, said his client deserved a fair hearing since what she had said was "nothing but the truth and is protected by the Constitution".

Orengo challenged State prosecutors to produce the whole message as read in the rally and not just the part they consider inflammatory.

Mishi was released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 until 21 and 22 of October when the case will come up for hearing.