Wednesday, August 18, 2010

I am no hater, says Mwakwere

By WALTER MENYA wmenya@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Wednesday, August 18 2010 at 22:30

I was only responding to provocation from the ODM party leaders, that was Trade minister Chirau Mwakwere’s defence against claims of hate speech on Wednesday.

The minister accused the vice chair of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Mrs Mary Onyango, of prejudice.

“I believe the good lady is shocked at my reappointment to the Cabinet or probably she has not recovered from my resounding win and the loss of my opponents whom she seems to serve,” he said.

On Tuesday, Mrs Onyango faulted Attorney General Amos Wako and Police Commissioner Matthew Iteere for not acting on recommendations to arrest Mr Mwakwere for hate speech.

Mrs Onyango said the commission had sufficient evidence to sustain a case against the Matuga MP.

“We are disappointed that our advice has not been heeded and as a commission hereby publicly reiterate our advice to the police and the honourable AG that Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere be prosecuted for violating Section 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act 2008,” said Mrs Onyango.

But speaking at his office on Wednesday, Mr Mwakwere said the commission had not called him to explain his comments.

“What I said cannot be translated to mean hate speech and probably somebody is only becoming tribal. Was I angry? Yes.

“Engaging in hate speech? No. I responded to hate speech by my opponents in ODM and the commission should thank me for that,” said Mr Mwakwere.

The minister said ODM leaders campaigning for Hassan Mwanyoha at Kibuyuni Shimba Hills in the Matuga by-election told some communities to be prepared for bloodshed if he was re-elected.

The commission also accuses the minister of threatening returning officer Hellen Sidi, an allegation he denies.

On Wednesday, electoral commission boss Ahmed Issack Hassan said: “It is true there were complaints against the candidate and the commission followed the law to deal with the issue.”

However, he said the commission did not disqualify Mr Mwakwere because he “had heeded our warning and we did not hear of any more complaints.”

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