Raila Odinga, the leader of the ODM, has been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over remarks uttered in Wajir on Wednesday.
The controversial comment was used by the former Prime Minister when asking residents to vote in a six-piece suit in the August General Election.
“Hatutaki madoadoa katika kaunti ya Wajir, tunataka viongozi wote wachagulie ndani ya Azimio,” he told his supporters.
In a statement issued on Friday, the NCIC chairman Dr Samuel Kobia, said the term madoadoa is considered hate speech in Kenya.
Read: Senator Linturi Sues Gov’t for Sh10 Million in Damages for Violation of Rights
“The commission to assure Kenyans of its commitment to curbing any form of hate speech to ensure Kenya remains stable, prosperous and cohesive nation and to deliver on our promise of ‘election bila noma’,” he said.
Raila will be required by the Commission to clarify his use of the word “madoadoa” during his recent tour of Wajir.
The presidential hopeful said that the movement has within it various parties that have come together to unite the country, as he emphasized the importance of voting for them.
Meru Senator Mithika Linturi, whose case was dropped in February, used the word at an Eldoret rally in January leading to his arrest at the Eka Hotel.
Read Also: Linturi Acquitted After Police Failed to Conclude Probe into Madoadoa Remarks
He walked free after the prosecution failed to file charges against him within the allotted time.
According to the DCI, Madoadoa’s comments recalled previous bouts of ethnic violence during and after elections, in which particular communities were attacked for not supporting a candidate from the larger host community.
However, the DPP stated that the file had been returned to the NCIC to fill in the gaps.
“ODPP will make the decision to charge once investigations are complete in the ethnic Contempt Case against Senator Linturi. ODPP returned the file to NCIC to cover outstanding investigation gaps before resubmission.”
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