The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Sunday, September 8, arrested Ngumu Ward MCA Jeremiah Mutua, who is also the Kitui County Assembly Deputy Minority Leader.
In a statement, NCIC disclosed that Mutua was arrested over ethnic contempt following remarks he made on his official Facebook page.
"The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has today, 8th September 2024, arrested Hon. Jeremiah Mutua MCA Ngumu Ward and Kitui County Assembly Deputy Minority leader over ethnic contempt," NCIC stated.
However, the commission noted that the MCA was later released after recording a statement and further investigations were underway.
"The MCA has since recorded statement and released as further investigations are undertaken. The Commission calls on the affected communities, especially politicians, to exercise tolerance as the rule of law takes its course," NCIC remarked.
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NCIC, in a letter dated September 2, summoned Mutua to appear before the commission over investigations into his remarks.
In the Facebook post, the MCA reportedly asked camels herders to vacate a grazing land in his ward.
"I have given 24 hours notice to Camel herders grazing in Sosoma-Mwanzele & Ukasi villages to move out of the Kamba grazing land. If there is anyone who has leased or sold their land parcels in Nguni Ward to camel herders, they should immediately make arrangements to refund the monies," read the post.
According to NCIC, the MCA's remarks were likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence, and discrimination, jeopardizing harmonious coexistence among various ethnic groups.
The commission has been at the forefront in the fight against hate speech, particularly on social media, and has urged the public to report such cases.
