Kenyan MP Peter Salasya Charged with Hate Speech Over Online Remarks

By Samuel Ouma

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has formally charged Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Kalerwa Salasya with hate speech.

Lawmaker Salasya appeared before Principal Magistrate Peter Mutai at the Milimani Law Courts, Nairobi, on May 19, where he was charged with publishing inciteful content likely to stir ethnic hatred, contrary to Section 13 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

The charges stem from a post made on May 10, 2025, on Salasya’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @pksalasya. While the specific content of the post was not disclosed in court, the prosecution alleges that the remarks were ethnically inflammatory and posed a risk to national cohesion.

Prosecuting Counsel Stellah Oyagi told the court that the offensive post was published at an unknown location within Kenya. She noted that such conduct by leaders undermines efforts to promote peace and unity, especially in a country with a diverse ethnic landscape.

Salasya pleaded not guilty to the charge. His legal team urged the court to consider his status as a lawmaker and a first-time offender, requesting lenient bail terms.

Magistrate Mutai released the MP on a Ksh400,000 surety bond (approx. USD 3,000) or an alternative cash bail of Ksh200,000 (approx. USD 1,500), pending the next court appearance.

The case is scheduled for mention on June 4, 2025, when further directions will be issued.

Salasya, who was elected to Parliament in 2022, has often drawn media attention for his outspoken and controversial statements on social media.