2016 has been an interesting year especially in the political arena as the contest for the General Election continues to shape up.
It has been a year full of political intrigues, friendly talk and most of the times, name calling and personal attacks especially between the Opposition and Jubilee government.
Kenyans.co.ke has delved into some of the instances when a number of leaders found themselves on the hot seat over their statements.
1. Millie Odhiambo remarks on Uhuru
Just a week ago, Mbita Member of Parliament Millie Odhiambo sparked outrage after she went on a rant hurling abusive words to President Uhuru Kenyatta at parliament buildings.
Her remarks were sharply criticised especially by women who expressed disappointment in the MP demanding for her to issue an apology.
President Kenyatta, however, seemed unshaken and responded by sending a special Christmas card with a message of goodwill to Ms Odhiambo.
2. Miguna Miguna and Esther Passaris
The outspoken Canadian-based lawyer has been on the spot on a number of occasions for spewing somehow offensive words.
The most recent incident was when the Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant went on a personal attack against his competitior Esther Passaris during a television interview claiming that "she is too beautiful that everyone wants to rape her."
The remarks sparked public outrage with journalist Jeff Koinange, who was the moderator of the interview, receiving a share of the blame for allowing Miguna to attack Passaris on live television uninterrupted.
3. Mike Sonko on being President
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko on 15th October 2016 lit up the mainstream and social media after he publicly declared that he was the acting President of the Republic of Kenya in case President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are out of the country.
Sonko, while attending a burial ceremony in Machakos, claimed that Kenyatta was in Togo and Ruto in France so he was the third in command, little did he know that the DP was already in the country.
Many accused sonko of treason and called for his prosecution though he later apologised explaining that he was not aware that Ruto had jetted back.
4. Raila Odinga on water tunnels
CORD leader Raila Odinga has rubbed shoulders with the government in many incidents especially recently when he claimed that Jubilee was drilling "tunnels of death" in Murang'a which would lead to desertification of close to five counties.
This was, however, laughed off by Jubilee allied members who accused Odinga of opposing the tunnel project yet he was the one who launched in 2012.
5. Boniface Mwangi on murder of Jacob Juma
In September, human rights activist Boniface Mwangi claimed that DP Ruto was responsible for the death of businessman Jacob Juma adding the deputy president was also planning to kill him (Mwangi).
Some accused Mwangi of making blatant allegations on a respectable leader without proof while others commended him for being bold.
This ultimately granted him a chance to square it out with Ruto in the court of law after the DP sued him for defamation.
6. Uhuru Kenyatta kula nyama statement
President Kenyatta sparked a hullabaloo after stating that the Jubilee government was busy "eating meat" while their Opposition counterparts were "salivating".
The remarks rubbed many the wrong way with Opposition leaders suggesting that the "meat" was public funds which the government was siphoning from public coffers through corruption.
7. Raila's call for forceful removal of IEBC Commissioners
In October, several leaders called for the arrest of the former Prime Minister accusing him of having urged his supporters to carry weapons and forcefully evict IEBC commissioners from office.
Raila was addressing a crowd in Narok County.
8. Musician Prezzo on Betty Kyalo
Earlier in March, musician Joe Makini, popularly known as Prezzo, was the subject of online discussions after he publicly made suggestive talks and gestures towards KTN news anchor Betty Kyalo during a television interview.
Prezzo who seemingly appeared drunk was highly criticised for his behaviour given that Ms Kyalo was at that time married to NTV investigative journalist Dennis Okari before the two parted ways.
9. Cyrus Jirongo against DP Ruto
Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo was also not left out of the controversy. While addressing a public forum in May, Jirongo sensationally claimed hat he had at one time witnessed DP Ruto murdering a young man during the days when they worked together in the former KANU regime.
10. Sonko - Kidero fight
Senator Sonko and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero were also on the spot after they engaged in verbal and physical attacks during a Senate Committee meeting with Sonko accusing the governor of being a murderer.
The two were bashed for reportedly fighting in public despite being respectable public figures.
