The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has issued a serious alert to lawmakers and political leaders regarding the rising incidents of hate speech, especially on social media platforms.
NCIC Vice Chairperson Wambui Nyutu announced that the Commission has completed its investigations into several accused lawmakers, including Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Farah Maalim (Dadaab), and Dan Wanyama (Webuye West).
Their cases have now been forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), urging for their arrest.
The legislators mentioned by NCIC
“We have identified over 10 politicians, including Farah Maalim, Dan Wanyama, and Oscar Sudi, who have been using inflammatory language that could incite violence among Kenyans. Our investigations are complete, and we have submitted their files to the DCI. If the DCI moves forward with arrests and charges, and the DPP prosecutes them in court, it will mark a significant step forward,” Nyutu shared with reporters.
In another press conference on Thursday, January 23, 2025, NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia and the commissioners voiced their worries about what they described as ‘divisive rhetoric’ coming from political leaders.
The commission stated that the country is moving in the wrong direction, especially with less than two years before the General Election, as leaders engage in verbal attacks against one another.
“We are concerned about the rise in extremely divisive language that borders on hate speech and ethnic contempt, which has been evident on social media and at public rallies in recent weeks,” the commission noted in their statement.
During the press conference, Kobia emphasized, “As the NCIC, we call for an immediate restoration of order and respect. The statements we’ve seen in recent months have no place in Kenya.”
The commission also cautioned political figures against misusing social media by taking advantage of Article 33 of the 2010 Constitution, which protects freedom of expression.
“The Constitution clearly does not protect the promotion of war, incitement to violence, hate speech, or any advocacy that fosters ethnic hatred, vilification of individuals, or incitement to harm based on any form of discrimination,” the NCIC stated.
Referencing Section 13 (1) (a) and Section 62 of the National Cohesion Act 2008, the NCIC emphasized that the law clearly safeguards the rights of all Kenyans, irrespective of their religious, ethnic, or political backgrounds.
This strong statement from the NCIC comes during a period of significant tension in the country’s political landscape.
