Meru Senator Mithika Linturi addressed the media on Sunday, January 9, while in police custody.
"I'm aware that the instructions given to Inspector General by the DPP is that they need to investigate the matter and foward the file to him. The police can't carry out investigations without recording a statement. What they're telling me is that we will need to go to Nakuru in order to record a statement."
I will comply with the law on the invitation by police officers. Let the public know that I'm in police custody and that's where we're heading to," he stated.
He added that his words were taken out of context as the "madoadoa" remarks meant the followers who were not with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) should be rejected by the Uasin Gishu residents.
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Meru Senator Mithika Linturi on Sunday, January 9, was arrested over comments he recently made at a public rally.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, a source from the Ministry of Interior confirmed that the Senator is in police custody.
The arrest follows the directive by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji to the Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai to investigate the matter and forward the findings to DPP’s office.
A video went viral on social media on Saturday in which the lawmaker made remarks bordering around hate speech at a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) rally at Eldoret Sports Club.
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The Senator's utterances drew sharp criticism from the various political leaders and Kenyans who pointed out that the remarks could instigate hate speech ahead of the 2022 General Election.
Among the leaders was Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) leader Moses Kuria who asked Ruto to ask his allies to stop making such reckless statements.
"I'm a close friend of the Deputy President. However, I am far. If you are in Eldoret and near here tell him to rebuke his allies. It doesn't matter whether these remarks were said by Linturi or Oscar Sudi (Kapseret MP)," he wrote on his social media pages.
In a rejoinder, Linturi apologized over the remarks- but pointed out that his remarks were taken out of context.
"On further reflection, and upon the advise of my colleagues, I regretfully concede that my choice of words was unfortunate. I therefore apologise, unreservedly, for the discomfort they may have created."
"It is true that words like 'madoadoa', whilst otherwise innocent and legitimate expressions, have in certain contacts come to be understood as representing inflammatory intent."
"Today, while addressing the UDA rally at Eldoret, I expressed myself using words which in certain context, have acquired sinister political overtones and come to be associated with incitement and hate speech, " the Senator wrote.
The Senator has previously had run-ins with the law. In April 2021, Linturi was arrested while on his way to Parliament to discuss the Building Bridges Initiative bill.
