Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel charged with hate speech

Former Laikipia North Member of Parliament (MP) Mathew Lempurkel has been charged with hate speech.

Lempurkel was arraigned before Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Sinkiyan Tobiko on Thursday after spending the night in police custody following his arrest at his home in Rongai, Kajiado County on Wednesday.

According to the chargesheet, Lempurkel reffered to one of the communities in the country as “those people whose feet are infested with jiggers” adding that “all conservancies and ranches within Laikipia belong to the Maa community and that the investors may keep the land but the grass on those lands belong to the Maa community.”

He pleaded not guilty and was released on a cash bail of Ksh.150,000. The prosecution did not oppose his release on bail.

The former MP is said have made the inciteful remarks on diverse dates between July 11th and 17th this year during a TV show aired by MAA TV.

His remarks are believed to have contributed to the lawlessness and current skirmishes that have rocked Laikipia County.

The case will be heard on September 22, 2021.