The Director Of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) Noordin Haji has directed the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambia to investigate comments and posts made by 12 people on Facebook.
In the statement shared on Friday, January 14, the DPP stated that he was concerned over a Facebook account dubbed Lamu County Politics Unlimited Group where users published discrimination posts.
The DPP copied the letter to National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairperson Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia and ordered Mutyambai to submit a conclusive report within 30 days.
Haji noted that the 12 accused persons used pseudonyms in propagating divisive talks.
"The 12 individuals have published content that may incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination towards certain ethnic groups which are contrary to Article 33 ( 2 ) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, Section 62 ( 1 ) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 and Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
"Consequently, I hereby direct you to institute comprehensive investigations into the said publications and submit the resultant investigation file within 30 days hereof. A progress report should be forwarded to my office within 14 days for further directions," the DPP ordered.
His statement comes amid tension in Lamu county where successive attacks left scores of residents were either killed or injured in January 2022.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i warned politicians in Lamu against inciting residents and deployed a multi-agency security team to comb the area.
Speaking to local leaders on Friday, January 7, the CS stated that he will use the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to bar accused politicians from contesting in future elections.
He further warned that any suspects found culpable will be subjected to the full wrath of the law. To curb insecurity and restore peace and tranquillity, Matiang'i ordered dusk to dawn curfew in some parts of Lamu County.
The areas included Majembeni, Ndamwe, Mkunumbi, Pandanguo, Witu, Hamasi, Binde Warinde, Bomani, Pongwe, Mpeketoni, Bahari, Mapenya and Hindi.
