Police summon politicians over ‘hate speech’ allegations

Kenya’s police have summoned seven pro-government and opposition politicians for investigation over alleged “hate speech”, flagging growing tension more than a year before elections and after weeks of deadly protests. Ethnic loyalties tend to trump policy matters in Kenyan politics. After a disputed election in December 2007, incitement by rival camps was blamed for stoking […]

Kenya’s police have summoned seven pro-government and opposition politicians for investigation over alleged “hate speech”, flagging growing tension more than a year before elections and after weeks of deadly protests.
Ethnic loyalties tend to trump policy matters in Kenyan politics. After a disputed election in December 2007, incitement by rival camps was blamed for stoking bloodletting between major ethnic groups that left 1,200 dead and hundreds of thousands displaced.
The 2010 constitution that sought to reshape institutions and national politics guarantees free expression but expressly outlaws ethnic incitement or “hate speech”.
Incidents of politicians drumming up support or stoking fears based on ethnic allegiances continue to pop up in recordings or speeches on the Internet, however, worrying many who fear renewed violence in the August 2017 race.