RUTO DISOWNS WORDS

Higher Education minister William Ruto has distanced himself from inflammatory remarks attributed to him.

He instead said that the the inciting words posted on the social networking site, Facebook, were unknown to him.

"There are about eight or nine sites in Facebook written by people unknown to me and that what it is that they are saying has nothing to do with me," he said Tuesday after a meeting with the National Cohesion and Integrated Commission (NCIC) at Delta House, Nairobi.

"They (NCIC) should instead look for the people peddling that information in the Facebook," he said.

Mr Ruto had appeared before the commission to give his account on allegations that he had uttered inciting words on several occasions while campaigning against the proposed constitution.

Religious differences

The minister said he told the commission he was opposed to a referendum that will create religious differences.

"Secondly, they have raised the issue on religion and I have told them my very firm belief that we should not subject this country to a referendum on a document that creates religious disagreement."

Mr Ruto was among politicians, who recorded statements over hate speech allegations on Tueday.

MPs Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Wifred Machage (Kuria) were arrested and taken to CID headquarters where they recorded statements.

They were joined by Cherengany MP Joseph Kutuny, who was also questioned by the police.

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