Kenyan chief prosecutor issues arrest warrant for environment minister

Keriako Tobiko gave the green light for the detention and prosecution of Mwakwere on Friday.

The director of public prosecution (DPP) said he was delighted that there was sufficient evidence to sustain charges against Mwakwere.

The Kenyan minister is alleged to have been engaged in a hate speech against indigenous Kenyans during a by-election campaign in July 2010.

Mwakwere, however, denied the allegations, saying that he only spelled out the historical injustices that his people suffered.

He also told the Constitutional Human Rights Division of the High Court that the allegations and investigations challenged his freedom of expression.

The arrest of the Kenyan minister has been favored by many Kenyans, but prompted some authorities to warn that the move could intensify the tensions ahead of the upcoming general elections.