The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader and presidential hopeful, Raila Odinga.
The Commission, which is charged with the responsibility of ensuring that no hate or incitement messages are made by politicians, summoned Raila to explain his recent use of the controversial 'madoadoa' word during his recent Azimio La Umoja tour in Wajir.
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.
The statement signed by NCIC Chairperson Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia comes amid calls by a section of United Democratic Alliance (UDA) who wanted Odinga arrested over the remarks.
UDA leaders stated that Odinga should be treated in the same manner as Senator Linturi who was in police custody for making the same remarks at a previous UDA rally.
While addressing a political rally in Wajir County, on Wednesday, March 10, Raila and his brigade urged the residents to vote in leaders in 6-piece for the Azimio la Umoja movement.
"We want all candidates selected in Wajir to come from the Azimio la Umoja movement. We want this to be an Azimio zone. We don't want madoadoa here in Wajir," Raila stated.
This, according to Odinga would ensure that Azimio carried the day from presidency to the County Assembly level. Led by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen the UDA affiliated leaders took issue with the remarks, calling for the police to take action.
"This is Raila Odinga in Wajir today. To demonstrate rule of law and in particular equality before the law, let the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) act as swift as in the case of Mithika Linturi," Murkomen stated.
His sentiments were echoed by Soy MP Caleb Kositany, a strong ally of Deputy President William Ruto, who alleged that the former Premier would neither be arrested nor prosecuted.
"Will Raila Odinga be picked up for this? Of course not," Kositany stated.
Linturi was arrested on January 9, 2022, over the madoadoa remarks perceived to cause hate speech ahead of the 2022 General Election. The politician was, however, released on a Ksh2 million cash bail or a conditional bond of Ksh5 million, in order to allow for the detectives to complete investigations.
