MP Richard Onyonka Arrested

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament, Richard Onyonka, has been arrested.

Onyonka was picked up by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kisii Town Tuesday, January 11.

According to reports, he was arrested over remarks flagged as bordering hate speech and incitement to violence.

Kitutu Chache South Member of Parliament, Richard Onyonka at a past rally.

The Standard

The MP is accused of alleging that there is a plan to evict people from the Rift Valley region ahead of the 2022 General Election.

DCI officers are said to be grilling the Legislator at the Kisii County Police Headquarters before he is formerly charged in court.

On January 10, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Noordin Haji, requested the Inspector General of Police, Hillary Mutyambai, to probe the MP over statements he made during a political rally.

"The alleged remarks captured in the video clip may be contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya and Section 62(1) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act," read the DPP letter in part.

"You are hereby directed to undertake investigations into the aforementioned matter and submit  the investigation file within seven days of the date hereof," the DPP directed the Inspector General of Police.

While addressing a crowd in Kisii on Monday, January 10, Onyoka dared the DPP to arrest him following the remarks, claiming that they had been misinterpreted.

"I hear there's a letter written (by the DPP) to the DCI to investigate me. Even if they arrest me or not, I'm a man...," he stated. 

Onyonka's sentiments were echoed by his Dagoretti North counterpart, Simba Arati, who claimed that the MP was not erratic in his remarks.

He becomes the second sitting politician to be apprehended on allegations of making remarks that border incitement and hate speech.

Meru Senator, Mithika Linturi was nabbed by DCI officers on Monday, January 10, over his during a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in Eldoret on Saturday, January 8.

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi addresses the crowd at the UDA rally in Eldoret on Saturday, January 8, 2021

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