Probe on Kabogo hate remarks starts

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo

Kiambu Governor William Kabogo is under investigations for alleged hate speech and derogatory statements he recently uttered during a function at Thika Stadium.

And now the spotlight is on Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office amid growing public concern over the recent cases of hate speech and incitement.

NCIC Sunday said it had received a video clip containing the alleged hate speech messages uttered by the governor, even as Kenyans took to the social media to show their disgust and urge relevant State agencies to arrest him.

NCIC Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo said he had received the complaint and forwarded the said clip for investigations before taking action.

“We have started the investigations into the matter. I have forwarded the clip to the investigation team,” said Kaparo.

DPP Keriako Tobiko Sunday stated he will issue a statement regarding the alleged hate speech remarks.

“The DPP has taken note of the contents of the video and will issue appropriate directives on Monday,” said Tobiko.

Speaking at Thika Stadium last Sunday during the 30th anniversary celebrations of musician John de Mathew, Kabogo said Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama will face dire consequences if he does not stop insulting the President.

“Today is de Methew’s day, we don’t have much to say. So much has been said by the ministers and those who think there will be fight in Kenya. We are not interested in war but are not afraid of anyone and it’s not that I am declaring war in Kenya but just the other day, I told Mr Muthama to stop abusing the President of Kenya and if he tries, I will get him from his mother’s house,” Kabogo is alleged to have said.

He added: “Every time someone stands, it’s Uhuru this, Uhuru that. When you go to social media, all they have is dirty photos. They don’t have manners, let them know we are fed up.”

He went on: “And you newspaper writers, tell Raila to stop this nonsense and if they want to take us to court, let them do so. I am ready and I have money to defend myself. We stop dwelling on issues being raised by uncircumcised men all the time. And I always tell you that that thing (foreskin) is not good. It is supposed to be cut because it lowers thinking capacity.”

Muthama’s remarks

Kabogo was speaking in reference to a statement by Muthama in September at a rally in support of the teachers’ strike.

Muthama had allegedly told the crowd that teachers who returned to school as advised by President Kenyatta would be stoned.

The senator is further accused of saying the President “will be smoked out of State House soon if he does not resign”.

Kabogo’s remarks come hot on heels of developments in the corridors of justice where political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi, Muthama, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former Nairobi mayor George Aladwa are facing charges over their remarks in various courts.

The governor’s statements also come in the wake of a warning by Chief Justice Willy Mutunga that unless politicians tone down on divisive utterances, the country could witness another episode of post-election violence in 2017.