A vocal politician was arrested on Sunday, September 8 following a post that caused a storm on Facebook, a popular social media platform. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) went after Jeramiah Mutua, a Kitui Member of County Assembly (MCA), for Nguni Ward and Deputy Minority Leader over ethnic contempt.
Mutua, who has been leading the ONDOA NGAMIA OPERATION in Kathungu to kick out camel herders from the Kamba region, found himself at odds with the law.
“Our land is a no-go zone. I have given 24 hours’ notice to camel herders grazing in Sosoma, Mwanzele, and Ukast villages to vacate Kamba grazing land,” read part of his post as shared by NCIC.
He also stated, “Anyone who has leased or sold land in Nguni Ward to camel herders should arrange to refund the money. I am sending my rescue teams to protect our land and water resources.”
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In his statement, Mutua claimed that national government administrative units are leasing land parcels to control pasture disputes, which have previously led to violence. He urged the cessation of these leasing activities.
Kitui MCA Statements Offensive
According to the NCIC, Mutua’s remarks are deemed inappropriate for a leader. The Commission believes that his statements could incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, or discrimination, and disrupt harmonious coexistence among Kenya’s ethnic groups.
As such, his comments are considered a violation of Section 62(1)(a) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, resulting in his arrest.
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Following his arrest, the NCIC called on the politicians, to exercise tolerance and allow the legal process take its course.
The NCIC’s statement reads: “The MCA has recorded a statement and has been released pending further investigation. The Commission urges affected communities and politicians to practice tolerance while the rule of law takes its course.”
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