from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA has charged a man over alleged hate speech against Burundi nationals.
This follows concern that the country is spiralling towards xenophobia, following a strict government directive targeting foreign nationals operating small-scale retail and hawking businesses.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has charged Kevin Odiwuor Otieno before Senior Resident Magistrate Stephany Bett at the Makadara Law Courts over alleged inflammatory remarks targeting Burundian nationals living and working in Kenya.
On Wednesday, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Buruburu, arrested Otieno, also known as “Engineer Kevin”, following the circulation of a video online in which he allegedly made inciting remarks during a Bunge la Mwananchi (The People’s Parliament) gathering at Jacaranda Grounds on September 6.
“The remarks allegedly sought to stir feelings of contempt, hatred and hostility and incite violence against Burundian nationals in Kenya,” the DPP stated.
Otieno has been charged with three counts of ethnic contempt, hate speech and offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Principal Prosecution Counsels Alex Gituma and Maureen Mwenesa did not oppose the accused’s release on bail or bond but urged the court to take into account the seriousness of the allegations.
The court granted Otieno a bond of KSh300 000 (US$2 317) or cash bail of KSh150 000.
The matter will be mentioned on October 28.
The crisis in Kenya began recently when President William Ruto ordered authorities to close down small businesses run by foreign traders.
He declared that informal retail work must be exclusively reserved for Kenyans.
The government has framed the policy as necessary to protect local vendors and combat youth unemployment.
The enforcement in East Africa’s largest economy has rapidly caused violence.
– CAJ News