NCIC investigates Gachagua, four Governors, 10 MPs over hate speech

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is investigating Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, four Governors and at least 10 Members of Parliament over hate speech remarks.

However, the outgoing NCIC commissioners led by Chairperson Samuel Kobia who are set to exit office at the end of their tenure, have also found themselves on the spot for having employed 22 staff members without following the required procedure.

The Senate National Cohesion, Equal Opportunities and Regional Integration Committee Chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute sought to know why NCIC did not advertise for the 22 slots in two National Daily Newspapers as it is required.

“We are aware that the term of NCIC Commissioners is coming to an end this week, why did the commission employee 22 members of staff without following the due process, we are summoning all the commissioners to explain to us clearly tomorrow,” said Chute.

NCIC CEO Dr Daniel Mutegi told the Senate Committee that at least 28 political leaders have been summoned to appear before the commission over some inflammatory remarks they have made with some honouring them while others have ignored the summons.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga, Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomurkai and Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma are awaiting verification of their video clips over inflammatory remarks by the Communication Authority before NCIC summons them.

Members of Parliament under investigations include Mpuru Aburi (Tigania West), Farah Maalim (Dadaab), Amos Mwago (Starehe), Dan Wanyama (Webuye West), Nelson Koech (Belgut), Phelix Odiwuor (Langata), William Kamket (Tiaty), Said Hiribae (Galole), Yakub Kuno (Bura), Amina Dika (Tana River County) and Fatuma Jehow (Wajir County).

 “I would like to inform the Senate that former Deputy President and Koech, Odiwuor, Wanyama and Jehow who are Members of Parliament did not honour the summons to come before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and explain themselves,” said Dr Mutegi.

The CEO said there are several legislators who honoured summons who include: Aburi, Kamket, Hiribae, Maalim, Kuno, Dika and Mwago where they were grilled about utterances that they made that were considered to be inflammatory where they got a chance to explain themselves.

Mutegi told the Committee Chaired by Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute that despite the efforts that the commission has done to manage hate speech in the country they are grappling with several challenges which include limited funding which affects timely investigation into utterances.

 The CEO told the Senators that Hate Speech, Ethnic Contempt and Inflammatory language especially by influential public figures and politicians are a root cause and driver of violence and conflict with the commission asking the Senate to support them to get more funding to carry out their work.

“We would like to inform the Senate that the commission lacks political goodwill especially with regard with the amendment of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission act, the commission has since 2014 attempted to make amendments to the act but the bill has never gone beyond second reading stage in the National Assembly,” said Dr Mutegi.

Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma said it was high time the state agencies took their work seriously since cases of hate speech and ethnic profiling have become rampant in the recent past and that if left unchecked may be a precursor to violence as the country gets into campaigns.

“We would like to know what the National Cohesion and Integration Commission and National Gender and Equality Commission are doing to ensure that we do not go back to where we were in 2007 when the country burnt due to relevant agencies failure to take action,” said Mumma.

Chute sought to know the number of culprits of hate speech that the commissions has taken to court, how many of them have been summoned and what else they are doing to make sure that the country is safe instead of only coming up with vague reports of their work over the years.

The Marsabit Senator said that while they acknowledge that there are some political issues to be handled politically the two commissions should be able to show Kenyans what they are doing to address matters that are likely to take the country to the dogs if not taken care off.

“Kenyans have high expectations of National Cohesion and Integration Commission unfortunately it seems the state agency is not living up to its core mandate, we as the representatives of the citizens are not satisfied,” said Chute.