Sunday, September 16, 2012

Mwakwere apologises over 'hate speech' remarks



Written By:KNA,    Posted: Sat, Sep 15, 2012
The minister is facing hate speech charges
Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere has issued a formal apology to Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) and Matuga residents over inflammatory remarks he made in July 2010 during the Matuga by election.
Mwakwere is alleged to have made a speech, during a by-election campaign in his constituency to the effect that indigenous coastal people have been oppressed by Arabs.
The Cabinet Minister had earlier in an application made to High Court sought to quash the hate speech charges that had been preferred against him by the Director of Public Prosecution.
He argued that he was airing his views on the historical injustices suffered by his people, which is a constitutional right guaranteed to him under Article 27 of the Constitution.
Speaking on Saturday during a press briefing held at a Mombasa hotel he stated that the apology is meant to help foster peace between all coastal communities.
Mwakwere added that after lengthy deliberations between the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) whose mandate has expired , MUHURI and other leaders from the coast the roadmap for reconciliation had been charted.
He was flanked by a cross section of religious and political leaders from the coast as well as senior officials from rights body.
However, conspicuously missing from the press briefing was Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia who had earlier on been spotted within the hotel yet he did not attend the briefing nor did he comment over the tripartite reconciliation talks between MUHURI, NCIC and the environment minister who is also the legislator for Matuga constituency.
"I have signed a conciliation agreement with the end to apologise and reconcile communities in the coastal region and by extension all kenyans," Mr Mwakwere stated
He stated regardless of the outcome of the court case that was lodged against him by MUHURI and recommended by the NCIC to the DPP's office that he be prosecuted, his conscious was now clear that his apology would be a step in the right direction of bringing all the coastal people together.
Mwakewere stated that it was in the best interest of all coastal communities not be divided along tribal lines adding that he upholds the constitution that endorses peaceful co existence among all kenyans.
He was keen to steer off comments over the the ongoing court case against him, saying that he could not comment on matters that were already before the court.
MUHURI Secretary General Hussein Khalid confirmed the reconciliation request that had been made by Mwakwere stating that after high national level consultative discussions between various leaders, the cabinet minister's apology had been accepted.
Khalid however stated that in no way is the apology meant to alter the course of justice for which he added was beyond his hands over the hate speech case that was already in court.
He however stated that the reconciliation serves a greater purpose of uniting all coastal people regardless of tribe or religious creed.
Mombasa senate seat aspirant and former Kenya National Human Rights Commisioner Hassan Omar also stated that NCIC Act offers leeway for for arbitration and forgiveness between warring parties besides prosecution saying that there are several avenues through which reconciliation can be achieved.
 He stated that leaders should not be afraid to seek all alternatives to achieve peace between communities saying that it was in Kenya's best interest for all citizens to remain united.

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