This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 2, 2019, a Nairobi court delivered a significant ruling in the case of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, dismissing hate speech charges against him.
The court, led by Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi, found that the prosecution failed to authenticate the source of a video that allegedly captured the MP uttering inciting words.
According to the court, the prosecution's handling of the case was subpar, and they even failed to secure a translator to accurately interpret the words spoken by Mr. Kuria.
The charges against the MP alleged that on September 5, 2017, at Wangige market in Kiambu county, he used abusive words intended to cause physical injury to a person, specifically targeting NASA Leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida Odinga.
However, the court ruled that the words uttered, including 'wembe ni ule ule', could not be interpreted to mean they would cause death or injury to anyone.
As a result, the court ordered the return of the Sh300,000 cash bail that Mr. Kuria had posted to secure his release.
