In courts: MP Salasya hate speech case resumes for pre-trial

Mumias East MP Peter Salasya is scheduled to appear at the Milimani Law Court for pre-trial in relation to hate speech charges levelled against him.

The proceedings follow his dramatic arrest on May 16 along the Isiolo–Nanyuki highway, after which he was detained at Nairobi Central Police Station.

The MP claimed he was ambushed by armed individuals identifying themselves as DCI officers, disarmed, and briefly went missing before resurfacing in custody.

Subsequently, he was arraigned in court.

Salasya was formally charged with hate speech over remarks and online posts, charges which he denied.

The lawmaker was freed from police custody after Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai granted him a cash bail of Sh200,000.

Earlier this month, the court dismissed allegations that the MP’s rights were violated while in custody, citing lack of evidence.

The Magistrate also declined an application by the legal team representing the MP seeking the reinstatement of his firearm to his security detail.

Magistrate Mutai ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to order the release of the firearm.

The firearm was taken as part of the evidence during the legislator’s arrest.

The court is set to hear submissions from both the prosecution and the defence today ahead of the trial.

Elsewhere, two suspects linked to the murder case involving Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were are set to appear before the Milimani High Court.

The two, namely Allan Omondi Ogola, believed to have previously served as the MP’s bodyguard, and Isaac Kuria, alias Kush, are among the suspects charged in the case.

The duo is scheduled for a mention of their case as the court issues further directions ahead of plea-taking.

The late MP was shot dead near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.

Investigators believe the attack was premeditated and involved multiple players.

Ogola and Kuria were previously ordered to undergo mental assessments at Mathari Hospital to determine their fitness to stand trial.

They have been in remand custody at Kamiti Maximum Prison.

Today’s session is expected to set the stage for plea-taking and the commencement of pre-trial proceedings.