MP grilled over inciteful remarks

Kapenguria

Wednesday January 17, 2024

KNA By Anthony Melly

David Pkosing, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pokot South, has been summoned by the County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO), over alleged inciteful inflammatory remarks in his Facebook page.

The MP vehemently asserts his innocence and dismisses the summons, as purely witch hunt or driven by a political motive.

After withstanding a six-hour interrogation by the County Criminal Investigation Officer (CCIO), Pkosing’s lawyer, Jackson Kimani, staunchly defended his client, asserting that Pkosing’s Facebook post was not meant to incite, but rather to express his concerns as a representative of the public.

Advocate Kimani highlighted that the MP is a champion of peace and was directing his post towards Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale and not as a call to incitement.

 Kimani further noted that Pkosing was drawing his intention, to the pressing issues affecting the people along the border of West Pokot and Turkana County.

 He said that the MP highlighted the recent massacre of cows, making it the focal point of his Facebook message.

The lawyer stated that the MP aimed to bridge peace between the two communities, while urging the government to intensify its ongoing investigation into the matter.

Pkosing further alleged that Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) killed people and bombed over 100 cows.

He revealed that spent cartridges believed to be from KDF officers, were recovered and have been submitted as evidence to the Kapenguria Police Station for analysis.

Pkosing expressed shock at the summons by the CCIO, deeming them political and asserting that he had anticipated a response from the police, regarding his Facebook posts.

 ‘‘The animals have bullets wounds I want to tell the government, I won’t be intimidated when I raise issues concerning my people,’’ MP Pkosing said.

He demanded the return of the stolen animals to the Pokot people and sought answers about the origin of the bullets and whereabouts of the KDF officers involved.

He urged the members of public to maintain peace and refrain from engaging in politics until 2027.

According to the leader of the majority in West Pokot County, Martin Komongiro, the government should take action to the killings and massacres which have been witnessed in the region.

He noted the MP Pkosing has submitted crucial information to the CCIO for further investigation and called on the residents, to keep calm as the inquiry unfolds.

CCIO George Mutonya, addressing the media, shed light on the reason behind Pkosing’s summons, citing concerns that the words posted on Facebook, could potentially breed discontent between the Pokots and the neighbours.

Mutonya elaborated on the ongoing nature of the investigation and urged leaders to refrain from making inflammatory remarks, that could exacerbate tensions in the region.

  "According to us the words posted can bring discontent between Pokots and neighbours. We asked him to come and explain to us what he meant. The investigations are ongoing and as of now." he said.

 The fate of the MP Pkosing hangs in the balance, leaving the community in a state of unease as they eagerly anticipate the results of the ongoing investigations.

  His supporters displayed signs in support of their member of parliament, while advocating for fairness.

A hundred of residents from West Pokot gathered outside Kapenguria Police Station, patiently anticipating the results of the interrogation. 

Courtesy; KNA