Uhuru tells off Raila over detaining of CORD MPs

OBy Wangui Ngechu, Citizen Digital; 16 June 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta has told off the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) over the 24 hour-ultimatum to the government to unconditionally release its four lawmakers detained at Pangani Police Station over allegations of hate speech and incitement to violence.

Uhuru, who is in Belgium for a three-day state visit, said no one is above the law and cases of incitement to violence will not be tolerated whatsoever.

“My message is that inciteful statements from whoever they come from will face the full hand of the law as long as I am President,” said the seemingly furious Uhuru.

He noted that incitement to violence and hate speech led to loss of lives in the past and that he will not allow the country to go that direction at whatever cost.

“I will do everything in my power as President to ensure Kenya never goes down that road. Regardless of who you are, no Kenyan will have an opportunity to incite another on the basis of religion and tribe. Kenya wants to move forward.”

“Kenya belongs to 40 million of us. If we want to exercise democracy, let us do so on the basis of political agenda but never again on tribe or religion,” added the President.

Kenyatta was speaking shortly after CORD leader Raila Odinga issued a 24 hour ultimatum for the release of the CORD legislators failure to which they will return to the streets on Monday.

Odinga who was speaking after visiting the legislators at Pangani Police Station said that the manner in which this matter was being handled was an outright abuse of their rights.

Odinga pointed out among other the rights access to an advocate of choice is a right protected under Article 49(1) (c), the Right to be brought before a court as soon as is reasonable and at any rate not later than 24 hours as denied.

He further said that access to food and water which is a basic human right was also denied as well as access to medication adding that some of those held suffer from serious medical conditions ranging from high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments.

CORD legislators Johnstone Muthama (Machakos Senator), Aisha Jumwa (Kilifi Women Representative), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba), Florence Mutua (Busia Women Representative), Junet Mohamed (Suna East) were arrested alongside Jubilee’s Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) and Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati) over hate speech allegations.

adding that freedom has no victims. 

“The freedom to picket, demonstrate and petition must not victimize innocent people going about their lawful business. The right of thought and expression cannot and must not victimize other communities, minorities and vulnerable people,” Ng’eno said. 

Ng’eno observed that there should be no sympathy from Kenyans to those who hide behind constitutional freedoms to foment unrest. 

He pointed out that the country is united for peace, national unity and the rule of law.