The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji, on Saturday, January 8, ordered the Inspector General of the National Police Service Hillary Mutyambai to investigate Meru Senator Mithika Linturi over alleged inciteful remarks.
In a statement, the DPP noted his attention had been drawn to a video that was doing rounds on social media where the lawmaker made remarks bordering around hate speech at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) rally at Eldoret Sports Club.
Haji noted that Linturi's utterances are likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility violence, or discrimination.
He thus directed Mutyambai to institute comprehensive investigations into the allegations and submit the relevant investigation file before or on January, 14.
Linturi's remarks drew sharp criticism from the political class as well as ordinary Kenyans with many stating that he could open wounds of those affected by the 2007 Post Election Violence (PEV).
Among them was Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) leader Moses Kuria who asked Ruto to ask his allies to stop making such reckless statements.
"I'm a close friend of the Deputy President. However, I am far. If you are in Eldoret and near here tell him to rebuke his allies. It doesn't matter whether these remarks were said by Linturi or Oscar Sudi (Kapseret MP)," he wrote on his social media pages.
However, in a rejoinder, Linturi, a close ally of Deputy President William Ruto stated that he would not apologise for his remarks.
"My message was clear, I don't owe anybody any explanation. Whoever does not support the DP Williams Rut in the region should not be elected," he wrote.
Article 157 (4) gives the DPP the power to direct the Inspector-General of the National Police Service to investigate any information or allegation of criminal conduct..
