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Hate speech can plunge the entire nation into war especially at this critical time we are approaching the long-awaited 2017 general elections, therefore, it should be avoided under all grounds. Off late, hate speech has become rampant but I am jubilant because the government has tightened its knot on handling the mayhem.
According to the Kenyan constitution, no one is above the law regardless of his/her rank in the government and thus everybody should filter their words before uttering them to the public. Every Kenyan should end up facing the wrath of the law when found guilty of the aforementioned.
CORD public rally which was held at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, pushing for teacher’s pay hike was associated with hate speech utterances. Machako’s Senator Johnstone Muthama after being linked to the pathetic utterances is still battling it in court.
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi was also charged with four counts of ethnic contempt and hate speech in a Nairobi court. Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria who has been accused of a series of hate speech is still facing it rough in court. This is enough manifestation that no one should be excused if found guilty of hate speech.
The government’s stringent actions against those found guilty will lay a concrete foundation for preaching peace, love and unity in our beloved nation as enshrined in our national anthem. Political leaders should be in the front line preaching national unity in whatever public forum they attend, contrary to the hate speeches they are spitting. This will greatly play a vital and fundamental role in shaping Kenya as one nation despite being occupied by 42 tribes.
