Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya is at the center of a fiery legal storm after being dramatically arrested and charged with hate speech.

The controversial MP appeared before Milimani Magistrate Paul Mutai on Friday, where he denied allegations that he published inflammatory content targeting a specific ethnic group on Facebook.

The incident allegedly occurred on May 2, 2025.Despite pleading not guilty, Salasya was released on a Sh200,000 cash bail, with an alternative bond of Sh500,000. But that’s not the end of the saga.

In a courtroom revelation that stunned onlookers, Salasya’s legal team, led by prominent lawyer Ken Echesa, demanded the return of his confiscated firearm and mobile phone—items seized during what they called a “violent and unlawful” arrest.

Echesa told the court that Salasya’s vehicle was fired upon during the arrest along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway, and he was allegedly whisked away to an undisclosed location before finally being taken to Nairobi’s Central Police Station.

The defense called the operation “shocking” and “a violation of the law.”The court has summoned the investigating officer to explain the details behind the MP’s arrest and seizure of personal items. A ruling on whether Salasya will recover his phone, firearm, and state-assigned bodyguard is expected on June 4.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reportedly said Salasya was under investigation for allegedly spreading false information with ethnic undertones and inciting public hatred—though no specific details were made public.“

This is clearly political,” said Echesa. “We are bracing ourselves for any charge the State might throw at us.”

Salasya, who has been making nationwide rounds in what he boldly calls a “prelude to his 2027 presidential bid,” insists the arrest is a smear campaign to sabotage his rising popularity.

As this high-profile case unfolds, all eyes remain on the courtroom—and on the fiery politician who has vowed not to back down.