Dennis Itumbi Defends The Jailing Of Moi University Student Allan Wadi After Public Outcry
Allan Wadi Okeng’o, a Moi University Political Science student was sentenced to two years in jail late last week after what was said to be insults and disobedience to the presidency.
Calls have been made to President Uhuru Kenyatta to pardon Wadi after he (Wadi) told the court that he was mentally unstable at the time he posted insulting messages on his social media accounts.
However, a section of Kenyans feel that the whole process of putting Wadi on trial was skewed, with the accused denied the right to be represented in court.
This has prompted Dennis Itumbi, who is the director of digital communication in the office of the president, to respond to the claims that Wadi was jailed for insulting President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Itumbi has denied these claims and instead made it clear that Wadi was jailed for insulting the Presidency and spreading hate speech on his social media accounts.
Lieutenant Wadi is still in jail.
Allan Wadi in court
This is what Itumbi said about Wadi:
“Fact: No one is in Jail for insulting The President…..Media Houses are actually spreading a Lie.
Wadi was charged for:
1. Hate Speech
2. Undermining Authority of a Public officer (Penal Code)
The President is on record saying he does not take personal insults to him.
However, The presidency is a creation of the law and there are laws that govern it.
Can he forgive Wadi? That power was shifted by the 2010 constitution and subsequent Power of Mercy legislation
Hate Speech, proven through the established process of law, should and must be punished. I have always held and I maintain we are responsible for what we say and should be able to defend it.”
