3 MPS NABBED

Three Kenyan Members of Parliament, one of them an assistant minister, have been arrested over remarks they made last week that authorities say border on incitement.

Police arrested Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi outside Continental House in Nairobi Tuesday and he was taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters for questioning.

Dr. Wilfred MachageAssistant roads minister and Kuria MP Wilfred Machage and Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny were arrested when they presented himself to the CID.

Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere said Dr Machage, Mr Kapondi and Mr Kutuny were recording statements with the police and were expected to be charged Wednesday.

Higher education minister William Ruto is also being sought over hate speech claims.

The two MPs were accused of making inflammatory statements during the launch of the No secretariat in Nairobi on Wednesday last week.

They said certain communities must be prepared to leave their constituencies if the proposed Constitution is ratified by Kenyans on August 4.

MP Charles Keter was also at Mazingira House - the CID headquarters - but it was not immediately clear whether he was answering summons for questioning.

Evidence

The National Cohesion and Integrated Commission (NCIC) chairman, Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia, has said the commission has evidence against MPs Dr Julius Kones, Mr Mohammed Sheikh Dor and Mr Joshua Kutuny.

Also on the list is a political activist Ms Christine Nyangitha.

Dr Kibunjia said the evidence had been handed over to the CID for further investigations.

“We worked closely with the police and based on the substantial evidence, we have issued summons to the said persons and requested the security agencies to investigate with a view to prosecution,” Dr Kibunjia said.

Mr Ruto has accused the 'Yes' team of using the NCIC to intimidate critics of the proposed constitution.

He warned the commission that they risked losing their credibility if they allowed themselves to be used by the government to demonise the 'No' side.

Those found guilty of hate speech risk being fined Sh1 million or to serve a prison term not exceeding five years or both.

The National Cohesion and Integration Act allows the commission to seek the help of the courts if a person fails to heed its summons.