This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
On August 2, 2019, a Nairobi court made a ruling that would clear the name of Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria of hate speech charges.
MP Kuria had been accused of making insulting and inciting remarks against Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and his wife Ida during a political function at Wangige in Kiambu on September 11, 2017.
However, in a ruling on the case, Milimani Chief Magistrate Francis Andayi dismissed the charges against Kuria, stating that the Jubilee MP had no case to answer.
The magistrate cited the failure of the prosecution to authenticate a key video presented in court, which was in Kikuyu language and required a translator.
Magistrate Andayi also noted that the words 'wembe ni ule ule' uttered by MP Kuria in the video could not be interpreted to mean they could cause harm or death to anyone.
As a result, the Sh300,000 cash bail deposited by MP Kuria was ordered to be returned to him.
