Internal security minister George Saitoti celebrates with Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, who had just been elected Matuga MP last Monday in a by-election. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission is investigating Mr Mwakwere over allegations of inciting hatred during the campaigns.
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.
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THESE ARE THE COMMENTS OF KENYANS REGARDING THE WITCH-HUNT ON MWAKWERE
Submitted by voiceofhague
Posted July 20, 2010 06:26 PM
the National Cohesion and Integration Commission is being used by ODM to frustrate pnu in re-alignment for 2012.
Submitted by MonteC
Posted July 20, 2010 06:26 PM
The speeches by Orengo, Ngilu and Mudavadi in Matuga campaigns were all full of HATE! Thats why they lost. You dont go to someones home and start 'hating' the 'bad' kid, you praise the 'good' one, damn! ( 'bad' and 'good' taken with respect to ODM perception). Or what hate is hate?
Submitted by kosulta
Posted July 20, 2010 05:01 PM
Just come to think what could have happened had Mwakwere been Kip.., from Rift ...., I bet, the results would have been nullified by now!!!
Submitted by MonteC
Posted July 19, 2010 10:57 PM
Leave Zipapa alone! Why didn't you say the same before the election results. Am sure if he lost we would not hear none of these! Who are those 3 other individuals? To be hypothetical i believe there is a foreign hand in this and woo unto you if you are not in the 'right' party
@Sunbburna,
your words say all.Its so true.That commission is becoming nuisance by itself.
Submitted by majogoo
Posted July 20, 2010 10:06 AM
Looks like this NCIC body will be misused.
Submitted by Sunburn
Posted July 20, 2010 07:03 AM
This commission is becoming a communist style dictatorial and oppressive organ. There is a need for constitutional interpretation of its now arbitrary accusations to stop it infringing on freedom of expression.
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