MP Oscar Sudi held 2 more days in hate speech case

Police are seeking to detain Kapseret MP Oscar Kipchumba Sudi for 14 more days to complete investigations into his unsavory remarks against President Uhuru Kenyatta and altercations at his residence in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

In a miscellaneous application filed before Nakuru Chief Magistrate Joseph at Kalo on Monday, the State requested to be allowed to hold Mr Sudi as police finalise the investigation before charging him.

Mr James Akello, the police officer in charge of the probe, said they are planning to charge the MP with five criminal offences, which they need time to look into.

The charges are hate speech, resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer, possession of a firearm and offensive conduct.

The officer told the court police could not manage to arrest Mr Sudi at his residence on September 11 due to the resistance mounted by members of the public. The court heard that the violence left a General Service Unit (GSU) officer injured.

"I believe the suspect has information that will assist with the investigation on the violence in his compound on the same night, which led to gunshots being fired from inside the compound and the wounding of police officer John Muiruri," he added in the application.

The officer further said a police search found a ceska pistol and a magazine with 11 bullets inside the lawmaker's vehicle.

Arguments

The prosecution, led by Mr Daniel Karuri, urged the court to deny the MPi release on cash bail saying he is a flight risk and is likely to interfere with witnesses.

Mr Karuri argued it is necessary to detain the MP to restore the peace and order disrupted by his utterances, which subsequently resulted in tension.

The defense team, led by Mr Kipkoech Ngetich, opposed the application arguing it infringed on Mr Sudi’s right of release on bond.

Mr Ngetich also said his client is not a flight risk but a public officer whose place of aboard is well known to everyone.

There was drama at  Nakuru Central Police Station where the MP was being held after a group of MPs allied to Jubilee Party’s Tangatanga faction stormed the venue.

Leaders including Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Nakuru counterpart Susan Kihika and went to the station in a show of solidarity with Mr Sudi.

MPs Kimani Ngunjiri (Bahati), Hilary Kosgei (Kipkelion) and Nelson Koech (Belgut) were also present.

A contingent of police officers was deployed to the station to repulse the huge crowd as it surged towards the gate.