MP Richard Onyonka in Trouble over Alleged Incitement Remarks

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has ordered a probe against Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka over incitement claims.

Haji wants police to investigate a video in which Onyonka is captured uttering alleged inceteful remarks while addressing a gathering in Kisii.

“Reference is made to a video clip circulating on social media platforms in which Hon. Richard Onyonka, MP for Kitutu Mache Constituency is addressing a gathering in Kisii County,” Haji said in a letter to Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on Monday.

“The alleged remarks captured in the video clip may be contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, to, 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" and section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, No. 12 of 2008,” he added.

Haji directed the inspector-general to submit the findings of the investigations to his office within seven days.

Onyonka appeared to be responding to the ‘madoadoa’ utterances made by Meru Senator Mithika Linturi at Deputy President William Ruto’s rally in Eldoret on Saturday.

Linturi, who was arrested on Sunday, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti at Nakuru law court on Monday. He will spend another night in police custody pending the ruling on the prosecution’s request for more time to conclude investigations into the remarks.

The prosecution said the utterances he made are likely to incite violence during the election period and urged the court to deny him bail as he might interfere with the witnesses.