The eight legislators who had been detained at Pangani and Muthaiga police stations were ferried to court in the cover of darkness on Friday morning.
The lawmakers were taken to Milimani Law Courts under heavy security escort shortly before 6am after being detained for the past three days.
Sources indicate that the hate speech suspects were shipped in darkness to avoid any protests ahead of their arraignment in court where they would face charges for uttering statements that were deemed inciteful.
In a recording taken as they arrived at the court, the seemingly calm lawmakers of the Jubilee and CORD coalitions conversed as they laughed and exchanged pleasantries.
Led by Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama and Kilifi Women Representative Aisha Jumwa, the eight marched along the corridors of the court accompanied by security agents.
They were taken to the court's basement area and placed in holding cells awaiting to be presented in Chambers at around 9am.
Other legislators taken to the court in the wee hours included; MPs Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Timothy Bosire (Kitutu Masaba) and Junet Mohamed (Suna East) and woman representative Florence Mutua (Busia).
They were detained following a directive by the court which denied to release them on bail, stating that they would interfere with investigations due to their political status.
On Thursday, the CORD coalition issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the suspects' release unconditionally, failure to which there would be 'consequences'.
In a rejoinder, President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted that he would not allow the country to be divided along tribal lines by individuals purporting to exercise their democracy. He reiterated that those suspected of hate speech would be dealt with regardless of their positions.
Read Also: Uhuru's Warning to Kuria and Hate Speech Suspects
Video courtesy of Citizen TV:
