UPDATE - Kenya: MPs charged with hate speech, inciting violence

Opposition and ruling party lawmakers seek bail, as protests set to continue nationwide

UPDATES WITH BAIL GRANTED, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Eight Kenyan lawmakers were charged with hate speech and inciting violence on Friday.

Five opposition members and three members of the ruling Jubilee Party were brought to court early Friday under heavy security. Anti-riot vehicles were posted around the court to guard against opposition supporters who had thronged to the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.

Johnson Muthama, Junet Mohamed, Moses Kuria, Ferdinand Waititu, Kimani Ngunjiri, Florence Mutua, Timothy Bosire and Aisha Jumwa were later granted bail by Chief Magistrate Daniel Ogembo. All eight defendants deny the charges.

The prosecution had objected to bail on the grounds the defendants were liable to repeat the same offences.

On Thursday, opposition leader Raila Odinga demanded the immediate release of his party’s members and warned of “consequences” otherwise.

The opposition has vowed to resume nationwide demonstrations on Monday which have claimed the lives of at least five people and left many injured.

Kaynak: