Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma over remarks she alleges could incite hostility against government critics.
Maina said political leaders should be held to the same legal standards, arguing that Kaluma should face investigation if his remarks are found to constitute hate speech or incitement.
She made the remarks on Sunday during a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, where she joined former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other leaders in criticising the government over recent incidents of political violence.
Maina referred to violence reported in Homa Bay involving political leaders and their supporters, saying some people were injured and others hospitalised.
“We have seen what happened in Homa Bay. Linda Mwananchi went there, including Babu Owino, Sifuna and others. We saw them being accused of inciting violence. Some people were beaten, some are in hospital,” she said.
She then accused Kaluma of making inflammatory remarks targeting people who do not support the government, alleging that the MP had called for such individuals to be dealt with and threatened that they could be sought out even in hotels and their homes.
Maina questioned why authorities had acted against some political figures over statements they considered inflammatory while, in her view, similar remarks by others had not attracted the same response.
“I want to tell the NCIC, the DCI and the ODPP that while other people make statements, you are very quick to act and arrest them within 24 hours. Kaluma said those things. He is walking around spreading hatred,” she said.
She specifically challenged the NCIC chairman to act against the Homa Bay Town MP, saying Kaluma should be investigated and, if found culpable, prosecuted.
“I am telling you, Chairperson of the NCIC, you are a bishop; do the work that you are supposed to do. Even that Peter Kaluma should, by now, have been sought out by the DCI, arrested and taken to court to answer the charges against him,” Maina noted.
Maina invoked Article 27 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, arguing that political affiliation should not determine how authorities respond to potentially unlawful remarks.
“Because even if we are living in an animal kingdom, our Constitution of Kenya 2010 says in Article 27 that every person is equal before the law,” she stated.
“Therefore, even Peter Kaluma should be arrested and taken to court to answer the charges. If you are serious about arresting people like Gachagua and others, then you should also arrest Peter Kaluma and take him to court to answer for his actions.”
Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions and renewed debate over inflammatory political language, with calls for security and oversight agencies to take action against leaders whose statements could fuel hostility or violence.