Charles Owino: Police should explain delayed arrest of MP Kaluma over incitement

• Owino terms the remarks as unbecoming of a legislator, calling for swift action from the police.

FILE| Government spokesperson Charles Owino speaking on Citizen TV’s JKlive Show on Wednesday, January 15, 2024.

Government Spokesperson Charles Owino has questioned the inaction of security authorities weeks after seditious remarks made by Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma.

Kaluma, a day before a Linda Mwananchi political rally scheduled for August 17, was seen warning those uttering the "one-term" phrase of dire consequences.

Speaking in his native Luo language, he also warned hotels in the town against hosting those in the one-term camp, threatening firm action against any that did.

Spokesperson Owino, speaking to Citizen TV on Monday, termed the remarks as unbecoming of a legislator, calling for swift action from the police.

"It is careless, primitive, backward and not expected of a lawmaker. Apart from the incitement he made, there are deeper details on what happened in Homa Bay," he said.

Owino also questioned why the process to apprehend the lawmaker is sluggish despite the presence of clear evidence of his wrongdoing.

"I don't know why NCIC is taking this long before any arrest is made because the CID director and the police ought to explain to us why up to now Kaluma has not been arrested," he opined.

"I am sure his file by now should be with the DPP (Directorate of Public Prosecutions)."

Defending the government from applying selective punishment for incitement cases, Owino argued that dissenting Kenyans should remain patient for the law to take its full course.

"What would matter is the end. If nobody is charged over the Homa Bay incident, then we would call it selective," he noted.

"We cannot continue with violence; it must stop, and people must be pursued."

This comes after Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia was arrested in early August, a few days after remarks he made at a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, warning Mt. Kenya region residents of consequences if they voted for President Ruto in the 2027 General Election.

The lawmaker was later released on a Ksh.100,000 cash bail.

Meanwhile, Kaluma only appeared before the NCIC and asked the commission to postpone his appearance, citing “unavoidable State duties.”

His sentiments are linked to ambushes laid by a group of youth who raided the Homa Bay Tourist Hotel and said to have destroyed property of unknown value over claims that they hosted anti-government supporters.

In a report made to the police by the hotel manager, Robert Odongo, the youth invaded the hotel at around 8 pm, where they shattered windows, destroyed furniture and other equipment, and carted away some items.

Police confirmed the vandalism and theft of hotel items, adding that by the time they arrived, the vandals had left on motorbikes.