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                   Kenyan Musicians Charged With Hate Speech

   by VOA News

   Three Kenyan musicians have been charged with hate speech under laws
   adopted following the country's post-election violence in 2008.
   Kamande wa Kioi, Muigai Wa Njoroge and John DeMathew appeared in a
   Nairobi court Wednesday to answer charges that their songs were
   intended to cause hatred and hostility between Kenya's Kikuyu and Luo
   ethnic groups.
   The three men, all Kikuyus, denied the charges and were released on
   bail.
   Last week, Kenya's National Cohesion and Integration Commission
   threatened to censor songs that "promote hate among ethnic lines" and
   singled out songs by each of the three musicians.
   The commission was established in 2008 to promote harmony among Kenyans
   in hopes of preventing  outbreaks of ethnic violence.
   Widespread violence after a disputed presidential election four years
   ago killed an estimated 1,300 Kenyans and displaced about 300,000
   others.
   Incumbent President Mwai Kibaki, a Kikuyu, and his challenger Raila
   Odinga, a Luo, both claimed victory in that poll.  An eventual
   power-sharing deal installed Odinga as prime minister.
   If convicted, the musicians could be imprisoned for up to three years
   and face fines of about $12,000.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/kenya_musicians_charged_with_hate_spe
   ech/1363327.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/kenya_musicians_charged_with_hate_speech/1363327.html