Salasya freed on Sh200,000 bail after denying hate speech charge
The vocal MP was arrested last Friday along the Isiolo-Nanyuki road before he was detained at the Central police Station in Nairobi, where he spent the weekend
Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has been freed on a Ksh 200,000 cash bail with an alternative of Ksh 500,000 bond after he was arraigned at the Milimani law courts where he denied a hate speech charge.
While releasing the legislator, Milimani Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai said: “Since the bond terms are not opposed, I am aided to grant the accused person as follows; he is admitted to a surety bond of Ksh 500,000 in the alternative cash bail of Ksh 200,000.”
Earlier, his release had faced setbacks after the magistrate cited errors in the charge sheet, leading to the deferment of the hearing from court six to two.Salasya is accused of publishing inciteful remarks likely to stir ethnic hatred on his verified X (previously Twitter) handle, @pksalasya contrary to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Act.
The prosecuting counsel, Ms Stellah Oyagi, told the court that the MP committed the offence on May 10 at an unknown location within the country.
The case will be mentioned on June 4 for further directions
The vocal MP was arrested last Friday along the Isiolo-Nanyuki Road before he was detained at the Central police station in Nairobi, where he spent the weekend.
While confirming his arrest to his supporters, Salasya said the people who had arrested him had identified themselves as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“I have been arrested on my way from Isiolo to Nanyuki road. I was attacked by unknown individuals claiming to be DCI officers. The people, heavily armed and moving with force, ambushed my convoy, disarmed my security team, confiscating their firearms, and pursued my vehicle,” Salasya posted on his social handles.
A member of his team claimed that the MP’s vehicle was shot at before he was forcefully taken and arrested.
“Multiple unidentified vehicles intercepted and opened fire on our convoy. The tires of the car carrying Salasya were shot, and the vehicle was immobilized.
His bodyguards have been disarmed, and Salasya has been taken by force,” he said as he termed it as a threat to the lawmaker’s life calling for immediate interventions.
The MPs lawyer, Ian Mutiso, said the people who arrested the legislator were covered and heavily armed.
“He is facing a charge of false publication and matters of hate speech,” Mutiso told the Press.
