ODM party leader Raila Odinga has been summoned by NCIC over the ‘madoadoa’ remarks he recently made in Wajir.
In a statement on Friday, NCIC said the term is considered hate speech in Kenya.
“The commission to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech to ensure Kenya remains stable, prosperous and cohesive nation and to deliver on our promise of ‘election bila noma’,” it stated.
The Commission wants Raila to explain his recent use of the ‘madoadoa’ word during his recent Azimio la Umoja tour in Wajir.
Raila told Wajir residents to back the Azimio La Umoja movement candidates only in the forthcoming general elections slated for August 9.
Speaking on Wednesday during the movement’s campaign trail, Raila said that the movement has many parties that have come together to unite the country, hence, the need to vote for them.
NCIC wants Raila to explain the context of the word that led to the arrest and charging of Meru Senator, Mithika Linturi, less than a month ago.
“In his remarks, he mentioned the term ‘Madoadoa’which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya,” the statement from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission remarked.
“The Commission wishes to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech, to ensure Kenya remains a stable, prosperous and cohesive nation, and to deliver on our promise,” it added.
Last week, Maara MP Kareke Mbiuki was summoned by NCIC over the comments he allegedly made last month, where he is alleged to have threatened former Chuka University Vice-Chancellor Erastus Njoka, who is contesting the Tharaka Nithi gubernatorial seat, daring him not to step in his constituency on his vote-hunting mission.
The legislator has since denied uttering alleged inflammatory remarks directed at his opponent.
Late last month, Meru Senator Mithika Linturi was set free by a Nakuru court after prosecutors failed to bring charges against him over his ‘madoadoa’ remarks.
The court on January 26 gave the police a month to finish their investigations into Mr Linturi’s alleged incitement remarks he made during Deputy President William Ruto’s rally on January 8 in Eldoret.
