NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 8 – Meru Senator Mithika Linturi is now a wanted man over remarks he made on Saturday at a rally in Eldoret even as the Senator clarified that he was quoted out of context.
Linturi has been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to explain his remarks even as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered police investigations into the utterances said to be bordering on hate speech.
Linturi made the utterances during Deputy President William Ruto’s mega rally in Eldoret Sports Ground.
According to NCIC, the use of Madoadoa in his remarks “we calculated to be hateful and likely to affect harmonious coexistence between the Kalenjins and other communities contrary to Section 13(1)(a) of the NCIC Act.
In a letter to the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and copied to the Chairperson of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the DPP also wants to know if the controversial Senator crossed the hate speech line.
While Linturi admits “that words like ‘madoadoa’, whilst otherwise innocent and legitimate expressions, have in certain contexts come to be understood as representing inflammatory intent. This context did not occur to me while I was speaking. I must point out that my use of these words was in specific reference to our Parliamentary colleagues from Uasin Gishu County, who do not support UDA, and whom I urged voters to reject in favour of UDA candidates, given that we are in a political contest, and they are our rivals.”
On further reflection, Linturi said, “and upon the advise of my colleagues, I regretfully concede that my choice of words was unfortunate. I, therefore, apologize, unreservedly, for the discomfort they may have created.”
But regardless of his clarification, the DPP has directed Mutyambai to submit the investigation file on or before January 14, 2022.
“My intention has been drawn to a video clip circulating on social media portraying Mithika Linturi allegedly addressing a crowd and stating watu wa Uasin Gishu msicheze na Kenya na kile na waomba ni kwamba madoa madoa yale muliyonayo hapa muweze kuondoa,” Haji said adding that the utterances could incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination.
Haji assured Kenyans that “persons found culpable of hate speech and incitement will be prosecuted”.
A section of Kenyans and leaders have condemned Senator Linturi’s alleged hateful remarks with many noting in unison that Kenya cannot afford another post election violence as was witnessed in 2007/2008.
“I am a close friend of the Deputy President. However I am far. If you are in Eldoret and near hear tell him to rebuke this talk. It doesn’t matter whether it is said by a Linturi or an Oscar Sudi. It matters that it is being said in Eldoret Sports Club, few kilometres from KAG Church Kiambaa in ‘Burnt’ Forest’. Jameni Madoadoa tena 💔 RIP #Kiambaa36,” Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria posted on his social media pages.
