The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) obtained a custodial order from the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kahawa Law Courts, Nairobi, in relation to ongoing investigations into alleged hate speech and ethnic incitement.
The respondent, Bare Sahara Ahmed was detained at Kilimani Police Station for a period of 10 days to allow investigators to complete inquiries into the matter.
The court further authorised forensic analysis of relevant digital evidence, including call data records and financial transactions, to support the investigation.
This action underscores our commitment to upholding the rule of law and addressing offences that threaten national cohesion and peaceful coexistence, police said.
DCI asked members of the public to exercise responsibility in their communications and refrain from engaging in conduct that may incite division or hatred.
The woman was arrested Sunday over a viral video that captured her inciting violence against some people over an incident where a taxi driver was shot and killed at a police roadblock over smuggling of goods.
According to the DCI, the arrest followed a swift review of the footage, with investigators seeking to establish the full context and intent of the statements.
The suspect is currently in lawful custody and is expected to be arraigned in court.
The five minutes clip also talked about religion and pushed for retaliation if police do not take action for justice in the killing of the driver.
Police believe her utterances could have incited the attack in Kitui and caused more chaos in Garissa. There were violent protests in Garissa on Friday.
The woman was reacting to the shooting of the taxi driver at a roadblock in the area over smuggling of goods.
Police said they are investigating the link between her remarks and the attack in Kitui that left seven people dead.
The DCI warned that any utterances likely to incite hatred, division, or threaten peaceful coexistence would attract firm legal action.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission condemned the hateful utterances made by Bare.
“As a Commission mandated to facilitate peaceful coexistence among Kenyans, we remind all Kenyans that while the Constitution of Kenya guarantees freedom of expression, this right is not absolute. It does not extend to hate speech, incitement to violence, or propaganda for war. We all have a duty to uphold the law and promote unity rather than division,” the commission said in a statement.
The statement said that every Kenyan has the right to reside, work, and conduct lawful activities in any part of the country without fear of discrimination or intimidation.
“These rights are fundamental and must be respected at all times. We wish to inform the members of the public that in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, the Commission has taken action leading to the arrest of the aspiring legislator.”
“This step underscores our commitment to enforcing the law fairly and without fear or favour. The matter is now before the relevant authorities, and due process will be followed in accordance with the law.”
