FORMER Mandera Central MP Billow Kerrow has been set free" of an incitement charge. Kerrow walked to freedom yesterday after the charge was dismissed. Nairobi Chief Magistrate Gilbert Mutembei said Billow had no case to answer.
Mutembei faulted the prosecution saying they failed to provide enough evidence to prove Kerrow had incited Mandera residents. "No witness was called to testify that she or he was present at the hotel when the alleged incitement words were uttered. And the person who is alleged to have taken a video clip showing him making the allegations was not called in to testify either," he said.
Moments after he was set free, Kerrow accused the government of maliciously dragging him to court. The records were very clear. It was an attempt by the government to deny me an opportunity to criticise it. It proves that some times it takes people to court without evidence. I find it malicious," he said."
The politician was arrested on October 28 in 2008 at 680 Hotel in Nairobi after holding a press conference over a security operation in Mandera District." He was later charged on November 4 for allegedly saying, "all men are being rounded up and taken to a camp and are being subjected to beatings throughout". He also allegedly said: "Women have been asked to remain "in their houses and then the militarily goes to carry out operations for search of guns inside their houses and consequently we have reports of women who have been raped".
The politician was reacting after a number of people were killed following a security operation in Mandera. The prosecution claimed the words were inciting and meant to prevent the enforcement of the law. Five police officers and TV Journalist Robert Nagila, the author of a story carried by NTV in which the politician is alleged to have incited his former constituents, were witnesses. Mutembei said none of the witnesses proved that the words spurred more violence.
Kerrow, through his lawyer Maobe Maotsetung, had told the court that the charges against him violated his constitutional rights and that the magistrate court did not have jurisdiction to charge him. Courtesy of Mars Group Kenya Media.
Americans for Hon. Billow Kerrow.
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