Drums of war: police move in to fix hate politicians

Temperatures are rising and Kenya could be careering toward ethnic violence as leaders spew hatred and beat war drums ahead of next year's polls.

It has been an ugly few days, including yesterday, as lawmakers from both coalitions have been accused of hate speech and summoned to the DIC.

Controversial Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, a key ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, shocked the nation on Sunday when he appeared to call for assassination of opposition chief Raila Odinga.

Watch: [VIDEO] Moses Kuria claims plot to assassinate Raila

After the video of Kuria and cheering supporters went viral, ODM MPs threatened to mobilise supporters unless Jubilee stops the vitriol.

Kuria was named to Jubilee's team to end the IEBC standoff. He faces three charges of incitement to violence, hate speech and fanning ethnic hatred.

He is accused of linking the 2015 Gikomba terrorist attack, which killed 10, to the Luo community. Last year he urged youths to grab pangas and attack opponents of the NYS.

Last evening, Kuria presented himself at the CID.

Police IG Joseph Bonnet yesterday ordered Jubilee MPs and reps Kuria, Kimani Ngunjiri, Ferdinand Waititu and Cord lawmakers Aisha Jumwa, Timothy Bosire and Junet Mohamed to appear following hate speech allegations. At press time, they were recording statements.

On Saturday, Bahati MP Ngunjiri was taped calling for immediate ejection Luos from Nakuru.

Before that, rowdy youths briefly disrupted Raila's Nakuru meeting, demanding he leave immediately. Police fired in the air to disperse them.

Kuria delivered the apparent assassination remarks at the thanksgiving rally of a vernacular station radio presenter in Kasarani.

Speaking In Kikuyu, Kuria said: "My people, I was appointed to speak with these people. Do you think I will deliver? They shouldn't fear. In fact let [Senator James] Orengo, [Machakos Senator Johnstone] Muthama and their mothers come. They want to stage a gunman tasked to kill Raila and then blame it on me. But he should be careful because he can still bite the bullet."

He went on: "We won't be troubled by one person forever. He can as well bite the bullet and we bury him next Monday. His protesters will throw stones for just one week and life continues. If it's war they want it's what they'll get. Tell Raila he can bite the bullet but if they want peace they should come and let us negotiate."

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission also summoned Kuria and Kimani but appeared helpless.

NCIC chairman Francis ole Kaparo blamed the Judiciary for 'inaction' on hate mongers.

So far, 900 hate speech cases have been investigated and 20 cases have been prosecuted, he said, but there were only six convictions.

"Political utterances, ongoing ethnic balkanisation and general intolerance by some politicians is alarming and misguided. The feeling some politicians can block other players from selling their agenda is a recipe for disaster worse than the 2007 elections. It has been done before and it's a philosophy that had dire consequences," Kaparo warned.

He said they have failed several times to cancel Kuria's bail.

However, Suna East MP Junet Mohamed accused NCIC of political bias, saying Kaparo is tarred as chairman of DP William Ruto's URP party.

Angry MPs led by ODM Treasurer Bosire said they too have communities they can summon to act, to talk assassination and evict.

They said Kuria, Ngunjiri as well as MPs Dennis Waweru and Maina Kamanda must be charged.

"ODM supporters will not turn the other cheek. If this madness does not stop, we leaders have no option but to ask our supporters to be prepared, ready to defend themselves," Bosire said at a joint press conference.

Lawmakers said the youths who disrupted Raila's Nakuru meeting were organised by Ngunjiri and bankrolled by Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua.

"The MP [Ngunjiri] and the Governor [Mbugua] later called for eviction of members of the Luo community and other Raila supporters from Nakuru and environs," the Orange leaders told a press conference.

Also present were Kilifi woman representative Aisha Jumwa and her Busia counterpart Florence Mutua.

They accused MPs Dennis Waweru, Maina Kamanda and former MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru of leading thugs to storm Raila's office. Junet said Interior PS Karanja Kibicho urged them on.

ODM lawmakers said Kuria and Kabete MP Ferdinand Waititu called for Raila's assassination at an "oathing forum camouflaged as a church service".

"Mr President, ours is either a nation or a series of ethnic enclaves controlled by bigots and warlords. We want to know where you stand on warlike activities encouraged by your supporters, your party leaders and security forces under your command," they said.

Read more on this story: Moses Kuria defends remark on Raila 'biting bullet'

Source