Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Mwakwere targeted in hate speech probe

Newly re-elected Matuga MP Chirau Ali Mwakwere could be in trouble over alleged hate speech.

The former Transport minister recaptured the seat in the July 12 by-election after losing it in a petition.

But now the National Cohesion and Integration Commission says it is investigating him over allegations of inciting hatred during his campaigns.

NCIC boss Mzalendo Kibunja on Monday said he had received complaints from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission and three other individuals against Mr Mwakwere.

Return to Cabinet

The allegations are based on his utterances during the by-election campaigns. Mr Mwakwere’s expected return to the Cabinet could be complicated if charges are brought against him.

Last month, President Kibaki suspended Roads assistant minister Wilfred Machage after he was charged with hate speech.

Mr Kibunja said the commission was processing the information on Mr Mwakwere to determine whether it amounts to hate speech.

He did not reveal the actual content of the allegations, but assured that the outcome of the investigation will be made public soon.

“As much as this is of public concern, we don’t prosecute people through the media as we have laid down procedures.”

Mr Mwakwere’s phone went unanswered when the Nation tried to reach him on Monday.

IIEC spokesperson Andrew Limo told the Nation that they are looking at video tapes to see whether there is evidence of hate speech.

Heeded IIEC warning

The commission, he added, had also warned Mr Mwakwere for allegedly threatening returning officer Hellen Sidi.“The letter from the IIEC chairman accused Mr Mwakwere of misconduct by threatening the returning officer, contrary to the electoral code of conduct and the Political Parties Act 2007.”

“IIEC is happy to note that Mr Mwakwere did heed the warning, and there was a change of attitude since no more such utterances were heard from him again,” said Mr Limo.

He defended the elections agency against criticism of failing to take action against people implicated in hate speech, saying that it is not within its mandate to do so.

In the run-up to the by-election, the Muslims for Human Rights Organisation forwarded to the IIEC a list of candidates it accused of being involved in hate speech in Matuga.

Mr Machage, Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi, and his Cherangany colleague Joshua Kutuny have cases pending in court over hate speech.

The three MPs, who are in the camp calling for the rejection of the proposed constitution, were charged with incitement to violence.

Following the charges, Dr Machage was suspended by President Kibaki.

He faces three years in jail, or a fine of Sh1 million, or both if found guilty. If he is jailed for more than six months, then he will lose his seat.

The commission is also scheduled to meet MPs in a bid to restrain them from using tribalism to win political support.

No comments:

Post a Comment