NO SACRED COWS

There will be no sacred cows in the ongoing crackdown on hate speech, National Cohesion and Integration Commission has warned.

The Commission Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia Thursday said summoning of leaders from the NO camp should not be misunderstood as attempts to gag those opposed to the proposed constitution.

Kibunjia told leaders making inflammatory statements that might jeopardize peace and tranquility that they will not be spared.

The commission has been accused of targeting the no camp in its crackdown on those propagating hate speech in the ongoing campaigns for and against the draft law.

The Red brigades claimed that the commission was being used by the Yes camp to silence their campaigns claims the Cohesion team denied saying they were merely executing their mandate.

US reforms

Meanwhile the US Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger has commended the commission saying that its efforts to end ethnic divisions should be supported by all.

Speaking to the press shortly after a meeting with the commission chairman, Rannerberger said use of hate speech would only slow the much needed reforms.

" The commission has pursued its mandate vigorously and transparently by evaluating evidence against three MPs. All those involved in such activities, regardless of political and religious affiliation must be held accountable" stated the US envoy

Rannerberger said his government would continue supporting the commission to strengthen its responsiveness to reported hate speech including providing assistance to implement an early warning system to combat the vice in media.

Assistant minister Dr.Wilfred Machage, and MPs Fred Kapondi (Mt. Elgon) and Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany) are out on bond after being charged with hate speech at a Nairobi Court on Wednesday.

The three who spent Tuesday night in police custody denied the charges before Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei.

They were arrested by Criminal Investigation Department officers for allegedly using threatening language that could stir ethnic tensions in country.

Kapondi was charged alongside the wife of a former High Court judge Christine Nyagitha Miller.

They all denied the charges and Machage, Kapondi and Miller were released on cash bails of 100 thousand shillings each while Kutuny was released on a cash bail of 200 thousand shillings.

Cabinet Minister William Ruto who is leading the no campaign has also been questioned by NCIC over hater speech.