Musicians in court over hate songs
Musician Kamande Wa Kioi outside the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) offices on June 28,2012. He and two others accused of fuelling hate speech through their songs will be arraigned in court to answer to the charges July 3, 2012. WILLIAM OERI
Three musicians accused of fuelling hate speech through their songs will be arraigned in court Tuesday to answer to the charges.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) launched investigations into three vernacular songs by Muigai wa Njoroge, Kamande wa Kioi and John DeMathew that are alleged to contain inciting words, and has recommended that they be charged.
If found guilty, the musicians may be imprisoned for a term not exceeding three years or fined Sh1 million or both.
However, the musicians have denied that their songs are inciting or constitute hate speech.
Mr Kioi's song Uhuru ni Witu (Uhuru is Ours) is one of those being investigated. He has said that every tribe had a right to praise its leaders in their own language. He added that the translations being circulated missed the point of his song.
Mr DeMathew has also maintained that his song, Witueti Hiti (You Have Made Yourself a Hyena), has been subject to misinterpretation.
Mr Njoroge has noted that there are different interpretation of songs and some people are misinterpreting his song titled Hague-Bound.
The three are accused of singing songs that border on hate speech against Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Last week, NCIC chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia said he was following up with the Media Council to find out whether the songs had been played on any radio stations.
