A Nakuru court has acquitted Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi of hate speech charges.
Sudi was arraigned in court over utterances he made in September 2020 directed at President Uhuru Kenyatta and the country's former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
He was facing charges which included offensive conduct, resisting arrest, being in unlawful possession of a firearm and assault of a police officer.
"I am very happy. You can recall a year ago I was accused of incitement. The courts have once again done justice by ruling that I have no case to answer," the MP stated after the court's ruling.
The lawmaker came under condemnation for utterances he made against the first family, specifically Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
He was defending his counterpart Emurua Dikirr's lawmaker Johanna Ng'eno, who had made similar utterances against the first lady.
But his remarks landed him in trouble with a contingent of police officers sent to his house on Friday night, September 11, 2020, to arrest him. At the time, Sudi claimed that he was not within the premises.
"It was unnecessary to be treated with a lot of drama by sending a contingent of police officers to my home. I was away the time police arrived at my place. Thank you all for standing with me," the legislator told the press.
Sudi was questioned by detectives from the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in reference to the remarks he made that authorities stated could have resulted in a breach of peace.
The Kapseret MP however remained adamant on his refusal to apologize for remarks targeting President Kenyatta’s family.
Following Sudi's remarks and his refusal to apologize President Uhuru Kenyatta fired back at the leaders who had earlier in the week insulted Mama Ngina Kenyatta.
Speaking during a stopover in Ruaka on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, while inspecting road projects, the Head of State condemned the slurs by the leaders.
“The people insulting my mother, tell them to insult their mothers instead. I am focused on working for the people and I have no problem retiring thereafter. People should live in peace since the country will outlive every person," he stated.
