The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party wants Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria arrested over incitement remarks he allegedly made while addressing youths in his constituency on Monday.
In a statement sent to the media by ODM spokesperson Dennis Onyango on Wednesday, the party asked the government to arrest and prosecute the MP immediately.
Party leader Raila Odinga, in the statement, accused the government of tolerating Kuria’s incitement and failing to take legal action against him. Kuria is said to have allegedly incited a section of youths in Gatundu South on Monday by asking them to defend themselves from anyone opposed the National Youth Service (NYS) projects.
Kuria is reported to have uttered the words when he led a crackdown on illicit brews in the constituency.
“It is unfortunate that the government is accommodating Kuria’s incitement trend and has failed to take legal action against him several times,” read part of the statement signed by Odinga.
The statement raises concerns over rising wave of incitement, specifically from Kuria, alleging that it is a plot by the government to cause fear among Kenyans ahead of the 2017 general election.
Odinga said the opposition will not allow the government to cause disunity and fear among Kenyans.
Addressing journalists at Parliament buildings in Nairobi on Wednesday, Kuria issued an apology to Kenyans over the remarks but at the same time said he does not regret the sentiments he made.
Kuria further said he was misquoted and the remarks interpreted wrongly. He said he will hold a meeting with the same youths he is said to have incited to set the record straight.
In a statement to the press, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Francis Ole Kaparo said the commission has written to the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to investigate the recent incitement remarks made by Kuria.
Kaparo said Kuria’s remarks will not be tolerated and legal action must be taken against him.