MP Richard Onyonka arrested by DCI over hate speech remarks

Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka was arrested on the morning of Tuesday, January 11 in Kisii County by detectives over alleged incitement remarks he made the weekend before.

The former FORRD Kenya party official was taken to Kisii Police Headquarters for questioning.

The MPs arrest follows an order by the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Hajji who directed the Inspector General of Police to probe hate speech allegations while addressing Kisii County.

Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka arrested in connection with alleged incitement; taken to Kisii County Police Headquarters for questioning. pic.twitter.com/P7CXAkLP6L

— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) January 11, 2022

On January Monday 10, the Director of Public Prosecution had directed the Inspector General of Police to immediately launch an investigation into the video that captured Onyonka uttering the alleged unlawful word.

“The alleged remarks captured in the video clip may be contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, which provides inter alia that,

“The right to freedom of expression does not extend to (a) propaganda for war;(b) incitement to violence;(c) hate speech; or (d) advocacy of hatred,” DPP noted in a letter to IG.

DPP Noordin Haji orders investigation into utterances made by Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka in Kisii. Cites ‘hate speech’, ‘advocacy to hatred’ and ‘incitement’ as potential offenses. pic.twitter.com/FtZDfce3Xi

— Linus Kaikai (@LinusKaikai) January 10, 2022

Onyonka’s arrest comes two days after the arrest of Meru Senator Mithika Linturi on similar grounds of making inciteful remarks.

Linturi, who was released on Tuesday, January 11 on a KSh 2 million cash bail, was arrested on Sunday at a hotel in Eldoret and taken to Nakuru where he was grilled over his ‘madoadoa’ remarks

In his remarks, the Senator said that the people who are not supporting William Ruto’s urge to be president should be eliminated from Uasin Gishu County.

“We want to be in the coming government but I want to tell you, people of Uasin Gishu, not to play with Kenya and I am asking you to remove the spots you have here,

” We cannot stand with William Ruto from Mt Kenya yet you have people here who don’t listen and cannot team up with him,” said Linturi during Ruto’s big rally in Eldoret.

I thank the agencies that are working to curtail the loud-mouthed politicians. Once You utter inciteful sentiments that trigger instability you'll be dealt with perpendicularly or ruthlessly. Richard Onyonka has been arrested as Mithika Linturi was released on 2 million cash bail

— Kawangware Finest™️ (Moturi) 🇰🇪 (@cbs_ke) January 11, 2022

Speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, the Chair of NCIC, Samuel Kobia they are focusing on dealing with hate speech because if not well dealt with it can destroy a country.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia – Chair, NCIC: NCIC has taken the usage of the term ‘madoadoa’ seriously because when used, it evokes memories and dehumanize people. This word was used in 2007-2008 and it went all the way to Hague #MondayReport@TrevorOmbija pic.twitter.com/U8N3k9YvjC

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 10, 2022

“NCIC has taken the usage of the term ‘madoadoa’ seriously because when used, it evokes memories and dehumanizes people,” Kobia said in reference to Linturis’ remarks.

Kobia cautioned elected leaders to be mindful of their language in their campaigns saying Kenyans need peace and not violence.