By Nation Reporter
Posted Monday, August 27 2012 at 10:30
Posted Monday, August 27 2012 at 10:30
In Summary
- Minister Mwakwere is accused of reportedly engaging in hate speech during campaigns for the Matuga by-elections in 2010
A Nairobi magistrate has issued fresh summons to
Environment Minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere to appear in court on August 31
for hate speech charges.
Senior Principal Magistrate Lucy Nyambura issued the summons Monday Morning.
The charge follows complains by the National
Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to the Director of Public
Prosecution (DPP) that Mr Mwakwere engaged in hate speech during
campaigns for the Matuga by-elections in 2010.
The minister, who was fighting for the seat after a
court nullified his election, allegedly told voters that indigenous
Coast residents were being oppressed by Kenyans of Arab descent.
The allegations prompted the NCIC to investigate
the minister for hate speech. The commission also supplied evidence
against him to the DPP’s office.
Mr Mwakwere moved to the Constitutional and Human
Rights Division of the High Court, alleging that the investigations were
an affront to his freedom of expression.
He defended his remarks, saying he was only reminding coastal people of the historical injustices they had suffered
But Justice Majanja disagreed and ruled that it was
up to the DPP to investigate if what the minister uttered constituted
hate speech.
The Judge added that the Constitution protected rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech.
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NCIC subsequently agreed that the allegations against the
minister be resolved through reconciliation between him and the
complainants, the Muslim for Human Rights.
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