Narok senator Ledama Ole Kina has been summoned to appear in court on June 2, 2020 over alleged inciteful remarks he made on Citizen Television’s Jeff Koinange Live show on February 19, 2020.
Ole Kina has been summoned by Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Kennedy Cheruiyot to answer to charges of ethnic contempt.
The charge sheet states that Ole Kina, during the February 19 interview conducted in Nairobi, said: “Maasai issues will be articulated by Maasais! Not Manje… who is… who… can be able to get an audience in Mount Kenya”.
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The prosecution says Olekina’s words were “intended to incite feelings of discrimination against non-Maasai communities living in Narok County based on their ethnicity”.
The complainant in the case, is the Republic of Kenya through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The prosecution has lined up Joseph Wathigo Manje, chief investigating officer Omondi Ogola, among others as witnesses.
Joseph Wathigo Manje, 57, is a Kenyan politician, a teacher, and an entrepreneur, and currently the Member of Parliament for Kajiado North Constituency in Kajiado County.
He is a member of the ruling Jubilee Party under President Uhuru Kenyatta. He previously served as a Commissioner at the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) as well as the Electoral Commission of Kenya's (ECK) South Rift Presidential Election Zonal Coordinator. He also served as a teacher employed by Kenya's Teachers Service Commission.
He has business interests in the leather and construction industries.
Manje was born and raised in Kiserian, Kajiado County. His parents were Moses Manje and Veronica Manje. As a young boy, he was involved in helping his family to farm as well as herding of goats and cattle.
He began his education at Kiserian Primary School before transferring to Nkoroi Primary School (now Arap Moi Primary School). After sitting for his KCPE examination, he joined Olekejuado Secondary School and later Njiiris High School for his A - levels.
After completing his secondary school education, Manje joined Kenya Science Teachers College where he trained as a teacher.
Arrested
On February 25, 2020, the accused, Senator Ledama Olekina was arrested by DCI officers over incitement allegations.
He was apprehended while leaving the studios of Royal Media Services in Nairobi after an interview.
He was, thereafter, taken to Kilimani Police Police Station for questioning over his remarks made during a BBI rally on Saturday, February 22. In the remarks, Olekina reiterated the comments he had made on JKL a few days earlier.
The senator was, five hours later, released on police bond.
