Government investigates DP Ruto's allies

dennis kibet

June 8, 2017 4:18 PM

Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery said they two will be charged if found guilty.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago (left), Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and his Kapsaret counterpart Oscar Sudi during a campaign in Eldoret town on April 19, 2017.

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) have begun the process of probing hate speech allegations against Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi with elections exactly two months away.

The move comes a day after some Rift Valley leaders called for the arrest of the two arrested for allegedly issuing inciting remarks and spreading ethnic animosity among Kenyans ahead of the August 8 elections.

The leaders led by Independent candidate John Mututho, said NCIC should not selectively apply the law in the bid to curb violence in the electioneering period.

Rift Valley Council of Elders chairman Gilbert Kabage asked NCIC to move swiftly and have the politicians prosecuted.

“We call upon the government to immediately arrest the governor and the two MPs for inciting locals against some communities.

"NCIC should use the politicians as an example to others as the country gears towards the August 8 general election,” said Mr Kabage.

Mr Kabage further gave Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery a seven-day ultimatum to arrest the three leaders and have them prosecuted.

“We want to give Mr Nkaissery seven days to arrest the three over the incitement,” said Mr Kabage.

Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery said they two will be charged if found guilty of having breached the law.

Deputy President William Ruto was forced to convene an urgent meeting of North Rift leaders ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s as political rivalries threaten to split up the Jubilee Party and wane its popularity and dominance in the region.

Mandago has led a group of North Rift politicians who include Governor Alex Tolgos of Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi who have openly rebelled against the Jubilee Party’s top hierarchy over its stand on independent candidates.

The group want President Kenyatta and DP Ruto to openly declare their support for Jubilee nominees who won in the party primaries and distance themselves from the independents such as Buzeki.

dennis kibet