Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has been charged with inciting ethnic violence between the Luhya and Luo communities through inflammatory social media posts.

Salasya was arrested on Friday, May 16, while en route to Isiolo, where he was scheduled to engage youth on matters of governance and the upcoming 2027 General Election.

He spent the weekend in custody and was arraigned on Monday, May 19, at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.

According to the charge sheet seen by , Salasya was accused of using his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, @pksalasya, to publish statements deemed to promote ethnic hatred.

The post in question, dated May 10, 2025, read:

“Luos are the number one enemies of the Luhya people. We must fight back against this narrative of Luos, or they will sink us. They are in guts but still fighting an innocent person. Ama tuwatahiri iishe.”

Authorities argued that the statements were insulting, inciteful, and deliberately aimed at fueling tension between the two communities.

Salasya, represented by lawyer Echesa, pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was released on a bond of KSh 500,000 or an alternative cash bail of KSh 200,000.

The matter is scheduled for a hearing on June 4.

His arrest followed heightened tensions stemming from an online feud with supporters of the ODM party, particularly those loyal to party leader Raila Odinga.

Salasya’s persistent criticism of Raila on social media is believed to have triggered a backlash, including an alleged attack by ODM-linked soccer fans, which further escalated the confrontation.

During the attack, one of the assailants shouted in support of Raila while chasing the lawmaker from the stadium.

At one point, a trash bin was hurled at the MP, hitting him in the face as some fans and members of his security team rushed to shield him.

The incident sparked widespread outrage, with many officials urging respect for all leaders regardless of their political affiliations.

In other news, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) conducted searches at the residences and offices of Governor George Natembeya and four others after obtaining search warrants.

The raids are linked to alleged irregular procurement and fictitious payments amounting to KSh 1.4 billion by the Trans Nzoia county government during the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 financial years.

The investigation is part of a broader probe into procurement irregularities, abuse of office, bribery, and fraudulent acquisition of public funds.

Natembeya is accused of influencing tender awards and receiving kickbacks through proxies.

Additionally, the commission is examining allegations of money laundering and unexplained wealth accumulation by senior county officials, suspected to be part of a scheme to hide proceeds of crime.

Source: TUKO.co.ke