Kenyans on Twitter are a mad lot.
Well, at least for now before something else hot gets their attention.
A video that has been shared on social media showing one man alleged to be former Nairobi Mayor, George Aladwa, calling for some ‘action’ is all it has taken on Thursday to drive #KOT rabid.
In the video, the speaker is on record saying that Kenya will burn (translated) if Raila Odinga’s win in the 2017 elections is stolen.
And acting on the outrage, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko has ordered interrogations and investigations and the subsequent outcome forwarded to his office.
I appreciate so much the power of #KOT and due to the pressure for few hours on #ArrestAladwa Finally its a win!!! pic.twitter.com/LfoxmNtuVL
— Patrick Tito (@Patriktito) October 22, 2015
Following the order, Kenyans hailed the move saying that at least something will be done to curtail such offensive utterances.
atleast now i can smell that something right is gonna happen #ArrestAladwa pic.twitter.com/89mkQVgXsd — MuhindiGeorge (@Neyer_1) October 22, 2015
Earlier, those on twitter and Facebook were calling for the arrest of Aladwa saying that the careless talk was bound to re-open wounds that were healing.
#ArrestAladwa today! Talk like that reopens wounds and gives pointers on what the opposition is willing to sacrifice for their turn to eat
— Antony Waiganjo (@antonywaiga) October 22, 2015
Totally backward and evil for him to incite Kenyans to violence #shame #ArrestAladwa — Henry Wamai (@lakenaivasha) October 22, 2015
The utterances were condemned from all quarters with those against Aladwa saying tha he was spewing words that could kill.
#ArrestAladwa We can’t breed Animosity @GhaflaKenya @TheKenyanPost @MpashoNews @TYCOONEWS @C_NyaKundiH @kaachonjo2 pic.twitter.com/kJaaCGyBoj
— Kashfa (@Kashfacartoon) October 22, 2015
And when all fails, turn to God. This was by some who felt that Kenya was on a fast, downhill spiral where ordinary citizens were bound to die either from corruption or from careless politicians.
GOD help Kenya, Jubilee have stolen our money now Cord is saying they want to kill us….#ArrestAladwa — Ithe Wa Wambuiâ„¢ (@puffkagochi) October 22, 2015
The video which surfaced early on Monday shows the politician addressing a crowd which can be heard cheering from the background.
So, @JBoinnet, what exactly what else are you and Tobiko waiting for? https://t.co/cRDV8QpPRa #ArrestAladwa
— Charles Kibinda, Esq (@ckibinda) October 22, 2015
And in what seems to be a response to the ‘accusations’, Aladwa was quoted thus:
Boss @MayorGaladwa how dumb do you figure Kenyans are?? Somebody @JBoinnet @NPSC_KE @InteriorKE #ArrestAladwa Now! pic.twitter.com/T0V7SnaLcc — Polycarp Hinga® (@PolycarpHinga) October 22, 2015
Some of those who weighed in on the debate compared Aladwa to Gatundu MP Moses Kuria.
Kuria and Aladwa are in the same zoo… With different masters who claim to hold different virtues. Let us see if it’s true #ArrestAladwa
— Ëspïönägë ¶ (@79patrickm) October 22, 2015
George Aladwa and Moses Kuria ought to be sharing a cell in Kamiti. Inciting ethnic tensions has no place in Kenya. #ArrestAladwa — Shujaa (@Shujaamentality) October 22, 2015
#ArrestAladwa & Kuria equally dangerous, their masters must disown them @NCIC_Kenya @WanjikuRevolt @waweru @QulshTM @EAukot @mmnjug @thekhrc
— Gabriel Dolan (@GabrielDolan1) October 22, 2015
Moses Kuria,Duale,Muthama,Mutahi Ngunyi….now Aladwa. These so called leaders r taking this country to the dogs. #ArrestAladwa — sammyt (@sammytkamau) October 22, 2015
Sadly, the issue surrounding the choice of leaders by Kenyans also came up showing that politics, however bad, always wins. Some however called for sobriety in addressing the matter conclusively.
Those times of myopic and epic show of emotional political distress are over. We must stand and be above ethnic starins #ArrestAladwa
— The Mutai® (@ItsMutai) October 22, 2015
I want to trend #ArrestAladwa,but I imagine he might run for a seat & Kenyans will vote for him,its not them, its us pic.twitter.com/JEzCYStvRi — ☠☤TheInstigator☤☠(@Just_a_KenN) October 22, 2015
There was also some mockery with some asking if the accused would lead by example.
Aladwa will you be the first to die? Am told leaders lead by example. #ArrestAladwa
— Wuod NyaKisumo (@EddieBrens) October 22, 2015
Others laid the blame squarely on Aladwa saying he should bear his burden.
Just watched the video @C_NyaKundiH That’s inciting people.Cant call it otherwise.He’s responsible for his words.Someone #ArrestAladwa — Owino Bernard (@owino_Bernard) October 22, 2015
While it is a sad situation, some felt the utterances compared to the calls in 2007 which led to the bloodbath that followed.
@ngunjiriwambugu they started violence 2007 and now they want to do the same when they lose 2017 #ArrestAladwa
— Eric Kogi (@erickogi) October 22, 2015
If we want to go the Rwanda Way ,Let’s clap to Aladwa’s Venom #ArrestAladwa & Arrest peace same as Kuria cries — Sam.Macoha (@SamMacoha) October 22, 2015
And with the never fading memory of the internet, Aladwa, if proven guilty, will have entered the annals of the most infamous Kenyans when it came to dancing over dead bodies.
It remains to be seen what the responsible bodies will do to make sure that such utterances are curtailed.
Already, Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri has issued a statement saying that Aladwa must be arrested for the utterances but said the responsible commission, NCIC, remains a toothless dog in the face of such politicians.
Cases against Johnstone Muthama and Moses Kuria are still in court but it seems that justice for the ordinary Kenyans keeps crawling while the high and mighty continue enjoying immunity which makes the abuse the laws with impunity.
Now, it is a watch and wait game to see what next after Tobiko’s move.