Raila, Rift Valley governor under investigations for incitement and hate speech

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has said that Cord leader Raila Odinga is among prominent politicians currently under investigations for alleged incitement.

Speaking in Marsabit County, NCIC chairman Francis Ole Kaparo confirmed that Raila  and Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago are under their watch list.

“Both of them are under investigations and once we have enough evidence, we will take the necessary action,” Kaparo said.

Kaparo said that the country is heading into an election period and warned politicians that they will be taken to court regardless of their positions.

He announced that the commission will put in place proper mechanisms, including cameras that are tamper-proof which will directly send video clips of hate speeches directly to them to be used as evidence in court.

Mass action calls

Raila on Monday while addressing Kisii residents called for mass action by Kenyans should the government try and eject Auditor General Edward Ouko from office over alleged procurement malpractices.

Raila defended Ouko terming the allegations as attempts aimed at masking massive corruption dealings within government.

Governor Mandago has already been interrogated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, and NCIC over incitement claims regarding the appointment of Prof Laban Ayiro as acting Moi University Vice Chancellor.

Mandago has opposed the appointment in favour of Prof Isaac Kosgey that has seen him clash with Cabinet Secretaries Fred Matiang’i and Joseph Nkaiserry.

The Governor earlier this month accused Kaparo of selective investigations and challenged him to resign and join politics.

"If Kaparo wants to join politics, let him resign, but if he wants to remain as the chairman of this commission, he should follow due process," Mandago said after being grilled at the NCIC offices.