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Reprieve for Salasya as Mumias East MP is acquitted in hate speech case
02nd February, 2026 10:32 AM
A Nairobi court has acquitted the Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya of a hate speech case after he complied with court orders to run a 14-day peace campaign through his social media platforms.
Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Paul Mutai on Monday, February 2, 2026, stated that he has received enough evidence that he had requested from the legislator to enable the court to grant the hate speech case withdrawal.
“I have seen the report filed by the IO to confirm compliance with the court order, and from the report, the accused engaged to promote peaceful coexistence and responsible use of media,” Magistrate Mutai ruled.
“There is evidence to show he’s running a social media campaign; it is a continuous exercise, and the accused has to do more, and I have allowed the withdrawal of the case and therefore cash bail to be refunded to the accused,” Magistrate Mutai added.
“There’s evidence to show he’s running a social media campaign; it is a continuous exercise, and the accused has to do more, and I have allowed the withdrawal of the case and therefore cash bail to be refunded to the accused,” Magistrate Mutai added.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) sought to withdraw the charges against Salasya, stating that they have reached an out-of-court settlement between the legislator and NCIC.
However, the court stated that there was no evidence of compliance provided on the same, and Magistrate Mutai directed that the parties must hold a joint, well-publicised conference at a place to be communicated by the NCIC and the MP.
Further, Mutai directed Salasya to participate in a social media campaign during which he was to advocate for peace, cohesion, and integration within the country, and the evidence of such activities was to be provided.
The prosecution, through Prosecutor Nora Achieng, had applied to have the matter withdrawn, referencing the agreement between the MP and NCIC to resolve the dispute outside court.
Salasya was arrested in May 2025 following allegations that he made inciting utterances during political rallies in Meru and Isiolo, as well as along his travel route toward Nanyuki, and charged the same month with hate speech contrary to the NCIC Act.
According to the charge sheet, Salasya is accused of publishing inciteful remarks likely to stir ethnic hatred on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @pksalasya, on May 10, 2025, at an unknown location within Kenya.
