Nandi Senator Cherargei arrested by DCI over hate speech

Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei (pictured) was Tuesday arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

I have been arrested to be arraigned in Milimani law courts shortly

— senator kiprotich Arap cherargei (@cherargeiteso) December 3, 2019

DCI George Kinoti said Cherargei uttered hateful utterances at Kilibwoni Primary School on August 17, 2019.

The Senator was Tuesday expected to be arraigned to face charges of ethnic contempt contrary to Section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act as well as incitement to violence contrary to Section 96(a) of the Penal Code.

The move followed an investigation by NCIC that forwarded the probe file to the Director of Public Prosecutions with recommendations to charge him. The DPP agreed with the recommendations and ordered his prosecution. A handful of his supporters thronged Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi when news of arraignment went out.

Meanwhile, the commission is still investigating a number of politicians over remarks they made in various places.

More to follow…