Julius Kiprop
- Former ICC suspect Joshua Arap Sang has angered many Kenyans after threatening legal action against a critic who accused him of taking part in the 2007/08 post-election violence (PEV).
- Sang, who works as the Director of Public Communications, warned Nyamisa Chelagat on social media that he would sue her for making false claims about his involvement in the violence.
- Chelagat responded with mockery, leading to an online argument.
- Many Kenyans supported Chelagat and criticized Sang’s threats, with some calling for evidence linking him to hate speech during his time as a radio presenter.
Former ICC suspect and ex-radio presenter Joshua Arap Sang has caused a stir on social media after threatening to sue a critic who accused him of being involved in the 2007/08 post-election violence. Sang, who works as the Director of Public Communications in the Office of the Chief of Staff, made his threat public on December 21, 2024.
The Threat and Response
Sang shared a message on his social media, saying that he would take Nyamisa Chelagat to court in January because she falsely accused him of taking part in the violence. Chelagat responded by making light of the situation, saying she was not worried and jokingly added that Sang should not message her until January.
Public Reaction
Many Kenyans sided with Chelagat. They criticized Sang’s legal threats and reminded people about his past as an ICC suspect. Some online users brought up his time as a radio presenter at Kass FM, which was accused of spreading hate speech during the post-election violence.
Legal Experts Join the Discussion
Some lawyers also spoke out. One, Ndegwa Njiru, offered to help Chelagat for free if Sang went ahead with his lawsuit.
Sang’s ICC History
During the violence, Sang was the head of Kass FM, a radio station in Kenya’s Rift Valley. The ICC said he used his radio show to spread messages that encouraged violence. He faced serious charges, including murder and persecution, but the ICC later dropped the case against him, saying there was not enough proof.
Renewed Attention
Even though Sang was cleared by the ICC, the accusations against him still spark debate. His recent threat to Chelagat has brought back questions about his involvement in the violence.
This conflict highlights the tension between defending one’s reputation and respecting freedom of speech. As the debate continues, many are questioning whether Sang should let go of the past or confront the allegations.
