Kenya: Minister to be arrested over incitement


  1. Maurice Alal, AfricaNews reporter in Kisum, Kenya
    The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Keriako Tobiko has ordered the immediate arrest of a cabinet minister, Ferdinand Waititu over his remarks that Maasai guards should be moved out of Kaloleni estate in Nairobi City. The minister made the remarks following the death of a garbage collector Tuesday who is alleged to have been murdered by the Maasai guards.
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    The DPP said that such sentiments are likely to fuel violence in the country if not managed properly warning that those people who are involved in such utterance will not be spared.

    It is said that the guards suspected that the deceased had stolen a hen from the nearby residential home. But according to the area residents, the deceased is well known to them and did not steal anything as alleged by the guards.

    The incident saw three people killed after members of the public attack some of the Maasai guards who were around the estate before engaging police in a running battle forcing the security officers to lobby tear gas canister to disperse the rowdy youths.

    “We don’t wan to see these Maasai guards in Kaloleni again and should be moved out immediately,” remarks Waititu yesterday.

    Now it was at this point when the violence erupted which saw business activities in the region paralyzed forcing the shop owners to close up their premises in fear of looting by the angry youths.

    However it is said that minister has been on spot over incitement to the violence in his Embakasi constituency where a number of development projects are reported to have stalled due to lack of political goodwill.

    This come barely two weeks when former cabinet minister Dhadho Godhana was sacked by President Mwai Kibaki in consultation with Prime Minister Raila Odinga following the allegations that he had a hand in the ongoing clashes in Tana Delta region.

    These remarks also come just a week when president Kibaki appealed to leaders to avoid inciting members of the public warning that those who will be found will face full force of the law. The president further ordered for immediate arrest of such leaders.

    “We will firmly deal with those inciting members of the public to engage in violence in our communities especially now that the country is heading to General Election,” Kibaki said.

    Dhadho who is also the Member of Parliament for Galole constituency was later arrested and arraigned in court and charged with incitement to violence which saw over 100 people killed and thousands, mostly women and children displaced from their homes.

    However, the Prime Minister have urged Kenyans to be wary of politicians who are preaching tribalism saying this will only take the country backward.

    “We need to wake up and elect leaders who will serve the interest of Kenyans and ensure full implementation of the constitution,” Odinga said.
    END



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