The ODM leader Raila Odinga is in trouble over his ‘madoadoa’ remarks, after being summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
In a statement on Friday, March 11, the NCIC said the term uttered by the former prime minister is considered hate speech in Kenya.
“The NCIC has today summoned the former prime minister, Raila Odinga in response to remarks made in his meeting in Wajir county on 9th March 2022. In his remarks, he mentioned the term ‘madoadoa’ which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya,” NCIC stated.
“The commission to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech to ensure Kenya remains stable, prosperous and cohesive nation and to deliver on our promise of ‘election bila noma’,” it added
Even as NCIC summons the ODM leader, William Ruto’s allies have read hypocrisy in the summoning considering how their ally, Mithika Linturi was hurriedly arrested.
“A good start. When is he appear? Is it the day he chooses? Over to you, ODPP do as you did to Linturi and for the DCI where are the Subarus? We are watching,” Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen sarcastically commented on Raila’s summons by NCIC.
The move by NCIC comes after sustained pressure from Deputy President William Ruto allies government agencies to immediately arrest the ODM leader.
Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa yesterday called for the arrest of the ODM leader Raila Odinga over his ‘madoadoa’ remarks saying Raila is just an ordinary Kenya.
“Tunademand arrest ya Raila. He is an ordinary Kenyan. Kenya Raila hana cheo. Kama aliyofanya Mithika Linturi alilala ndani, Raila anangoja nini?”
(We are demanding the arrest of Raila. He is an ordinary Kenyan; he holds no position in the country. Mithika Linturi spent a night in police custody, what is Raila waiting for?” Aisha Jumwa said.
During an Azimio la Umoja campaign rally in Wajir on Wednesday, March 9, the presidential hopeful was heard urging residents to vote for all Azimio la Umoja candidates vying for all six elective positions, popularly known as the six-piece voting style.
Hatutaki madoadoa katika kaunti ya Wajir, tunataka viongozi wote wachagulie ndani ya Azimio (We don’t want to see patches in Wajir County, we want all Azimio la Umoja leaders seeking elective seats to be elected uniformly),” Raila said.
While the ‘Madoadoa’ phrase is often used to rally supporters behind what is termed as six-piece voting where parties urge their constituents to elect candidates in all elective posts from their outfits, it also carries a negative connotation of ethnic cleansing.
Madoadoa evokes painful memories of post-election violence as the word was used to refer to Kenyans who are not aligned to a certified political camp and thus needed to be eliminated/flushed out of certain regions.
