- NCIC has summoned former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo over remarks he made about mobilising youths ahead of Raila Odinga's Bondo memorial
- Ndolo claimed he was sent to collect young people from Busia, Luanda and Bondo despite alleged threats against a senior leader
- The commission warned that failure to attend the October 26 hearing could lead to arrest warrants or legal proceedings
Harry Ivan Mboto is a Current Affairs and Politics Editor at TUKO.co.ke, covering general news. Mboto has five years of journalism experience and joined TUKO.co.ke in 2024
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo over remarks he made during a church service in Donholm, Nairobi, concerning the mobilisation of youths ahead of the first anniversary memorial of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Bondo, Siaya County.
Source: UGC
In a notice, the commission directed Ndolo to appear before it on Monday, October 26, at 2 pm to respond to questions about his statements at Jesus Teaching Ministry Church in Embakasi East Constituency on Sunday, October 18.
The summons follows an investigation into remarks touching on political mobilisation, the recruitment of young people and disagreements among leaders over preparations for the memorial.
Did Ndolo mobilise youths to Raila's memorial?
During the church service, Ndolo claimed he had been dispatched to mobilise youths from different parts of the country ahead of the event, which was marred by chaos after suspected goons pelted the VIP dais with stones and soil, attacked attendees and heckled leaders opposed to them.
“The event in Bondo was not as simple as it seemed. They had threatened the SG that if he set foot there, he would see what would happen, but he is also a man. The SG is a young man to me, but I follow him out of courtesy. We met, and he sent me ahead to collect youths from Busia, Luanda and Bondo. Now you saw how things were,” Ndolo said.
The former MP's remarks appeared to shed light on the political mobilisation that preceded the memorial, which was attended by leaders and supporters seeking to honour Raila's legacy.
Ndolo also spoke about disagreements among political leaders surrounding the event and the treatment of Raila's widow, Ida Odinga. He criticised some leaders over their handling of the situation, making allegations involving Suna East MP Junet Mohamed and another politician whom he claimed had travelled to Dubai while Ida was distressed.
What did NCIC say about Ndolo's remarks?
In its summons, the NCIC said the hearing would give Ndolo an opportunity to respond before the commission made a determination based on the material before it.
The commission warned that failure to appear could result in arrest warrants being issued to compel his attendance or the initiation of criminal or contempt proceedings.
Ndolo's case comes amid heightened scrutiny of political statements by the NCIC, which has also summoned several other leaders over remarks under investigation for possible hate speech, ethnic incitement and threats to national cohesion.
Those summoned in separate cases include former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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