Raila Odinga: State plotting to muzzle social media

Kajiado central MP Elijah Memusi (left) CORD leader Raila Odinga (centre) and former Principal Secretary Ministry of Information,Communications and Technology Joseph Tiampati flanked by Maasai community addressing the press at Orange house after receiving a delegate from Narok county. Raila has hit out at the Jubilee government for what he termed attempts to muzzle freedom of the press and expression. (BEVERLYNE MUSILI/ STANDARD)

ODM leader Raila Odinga has hit out at the Jubilee government for what he termed attempts to muzzle freedom of the press and expression.

The Opposition chief said Kenyans would resist these attempts by all means possible, adding that the freedoms were embedded in the Constitution and all sectors, including the Government, must respect them.

Raila said it was irresponsible of the Government to spend taxpayers' money on conferences to discuss ways of gagging mainstream and social media.

Speaking at Orange House after meeting a delegation of Maasai elders from Narok County yesterday, Raila criticised Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, police boss Joseph Boinet, Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko and National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo for trying to gag freedom of expression by alleging hate speech.

"What is this animal called hate speech? It has not been defined and we would love to know what it means," he said.

Raila said yesterday's meeting was planned a month ago by a team of professionals and opinion leaders from Narok, who are planning a major rally in Narok.

"We are not reacting to anything. We are not scared of Jubilee at all. We are strong and the Maa community is strongly behind ODM," he said.

During the meeting, former PS Joseph Tiampati defected to ODM from the Kenya National Congress party.