Korogocho Member of County Assembly Absalom Odhiambo, has written to DPP Haji requesting him to withdraw his hate speech charges as he did to other Azimio MPs arrested during the demonstrations.
The MCA through his lawyers led by Danstan Omari told the court that similar matters involving politicians were withdrawn in Kahawa Law Courts and it is in the interest of Justice that his matter to be dropped.
“I can conclusively confirm that similar matters that were in Kahawa Law Courts of Four Members of Parliament and 2 MCAs have been withdrawn.”
The case which was coming up for pretrial before Milimani Law courts were adjourned to April 12 to give way for the prosecutor to seek directions from the DPP on how to proceed with the case.
In this case, Absalom is charged with promoting hate speech through incitement to violence.
The comments in question were made on Monday, January 23, during an Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party rally at the Kamukunji Grounds.
In a video clip of the event that was widely circulated on the internet, the MCA is heard criticizing the Kenya Kwanza leadership while mobilizing Azimio supporters for industrial action in the capital.
NCIC in a statement took issue with the ODM politician’s remarks, saying they invoked ethnic hatred.
“Political development in the last few days is creating unnecessary tension that if not well managed can plunge the country into chaos,” the commission’s Chairperson, Rev Samuel Kobia, said.
“A case in point is the utterances by Korogocho Member of County Assembly Hon. Absalom Odhiambo Onyango at the Azimio La Umoja Alliance rally at the Kamukunji grounds on Monday 23rd January 2022 which inter alia invoked ethnic hatred while inciting Kenyans to violence. Therefore, we have summoned Hon. Absalom Odhiambo Onyango to record a statement.”
Dr Kobia further urged political leaders to shun ethnic politics which may upset the current state of peace in the country and cause division among political groups.
