Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria will be charged with incitement to violence after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko approved his prosecution.
Mr Tobiko said he was satisfied there is sufficient evidence to charge Mr Kuria following investigations by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) into alleged inciting utterances.
In July, Mr Kuria was recorded asking his constituents to allegedly slash those opposed to the National Youth Service (NYS) projects with pangas.
“NCIC has recommended that Moses Kuria be charged with the offence of incitement to violence contrary to Sec 96 (a) of the Penal Code,” a statement from Mr Tobiko’s office said.
“Upon independent review, the DPP is satisfied that the evidence on the file is sufficient to sustain the recommended charge. The DPP has therefore concurred with NCIC and accordingly directions to ensue immediately.”
Mr Kuria has another court case where he is charged with linking a Gikomba market terrorist attack to members of two communities.
The legislator is among several politicians accused of hate speech and incitement to violence.
Others are Machakos senator Johnstone Muthama, former Nairobi mayor George Aladwa and Kiambu governor William Kabogo.
Mr Kuria defended himself in the aftermath of the incident, saying that he did not incite anyone and instead blamed the media and NCIC for misrepresenting his words.
Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet has urged the courts to hand stiff penalties to those convicted of hate speech and incitement to violence.
He said that heavy punishment would deter politicians from making the provocative utterances.
Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has also warned that the cases of hate speech and the widespread corruption in government are sowing seeds of violence in the 2017 General Election.
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