Jubilee Calls for Probe, Arrest of Raila Odinga over Hate Speech

The Jubilee Party has written to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chair Francis Kaparo, calling for the investigation and arrest of opposition chief Raila Odinga over hate speech.

The calls by the ruling party following remarks made by the former Prime Minister in Kajiado on Thursday. “…until now there is no land because of poverty…we want to change that so that people don’t sell their parcels.”

“Keep your land with you so that you don’t cry foul later on…let the buyers remain at their places of origin,” Raila said.

Jubilee views the sentiments by Raila amounting to hate speech and want relevant bodies probe Raila and take appropriate action.

“We all know that it only requires a very small match to start a very large and dangerous fire. With these comments, Raila has struck that match…the use of irresponsible and inflammatory language will ignite tensions within local communities and can only be regarded as hate speech,” Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju said.

He added, “Raila’s language must be challenged today in the most robust terms. Kenya must move forward as a united nation and not be allowed to fall back into the hands of the abyss of violence.”

Nairobi senate aspirant Johnstone Sakaja recalled that it was such remarks that led to the 2007/08 poll chaos, adding that such remarks should be condemned and action taken on those involved.

“We all have the experience. People have lost their loved ones. People have been maimed. People have been injured. Scars still exist.”

“Even within the context of a power struggle that we are in right now, there is a line that we cannot allow any politician to pass,” Sakaja said.