Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya has been released on a cash bail of Ksh200,000 or a surety bond of Ksh500,000 after being charged with hate speech. The legislator was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi on Monday, May 19, 2025, where he faced charges under the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Act.
The charges stem from a post made on May 10, 2025, through his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. According to the charge sheet presented in court, Salasya is accused of knowingly and intentionally publishing remarks that were deemed inciteful and calculated to stir ethnic hatred. The post in question was directed at the Luo community, accusing them of being enemies of the Luhya people and urging retaliation. It also referenced internal political conflict and included inflammatory language considered to breach the NCIC Act.
The prosecution indicated that the post was made from an unspecified location within Kenya and contained language intended to provoke hostility between the Luo and Luhya communities. Salasya pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently released pending further court proceedings. The case is scheduled for mention on June 4, 2025, when further directions will be provided.
The MP’s arrest occurred on Friday, May 16, 2025, under dramatic circumstances. He was intercepted along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway while returning from political engagements in Meru and Isiolo. According to Salasya, several unmarked vehicles blocked his convoy, and individuals claiming to be officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confronted him.
The MP recounted that these individuals shot at his vehicle, disarmed his security team, and created panic within his convoy. He alleged that during the confrontation, one of his bodyguards helped him escape into nearby bushes for safety. Salasya later took to social media to describe the ordeal, stating that he feared for his life and was not given any explanation at the time of his arrest. He further claimed that the attack was politically motivated.
Following his capture, Salasya was detained at the Nairobi Central Police Station before being presented in court. His arrest sparked debate among political observers and citizens alike, with many questioning the approach used by the security agents. Others focused on the broader implications of his remarks and the role of leaders in promoting national cohesion.
This incident has brought renewed attention to the issue of hate speech in Kenya, particularly among public figures and political leaders. The NCIC and other stakeholders have consistently warned against using inflammatory language, especially in a country with a history of politically and ethnically charged violence. The outcome of Salasya’s case is likely to set a precedent on how similar offenses will be treated in future.
As the case progresses, the spotlight will remain on the judiciary’s handling of hate speech allegations and the state’s commitment to upholding peace and national unity. With the next hearing set for early June, both supporters and critics of the MP will be closely watching the legal developments in what has now become a high-profile matter.
