National Cohesion and Integration Commission will train monitors to watch out for hate speech as the country heads to elections next year.
Chairman Francis ole Kaparo said the monitors will be trained in social cohesion, early warning and response mechanisms as well as prosecuting hate speech offenders.
“After training, the monitors will be equipped with gadgets to aid their work,” he said.
Kaparo spoke on Sunday during a press conference in Kisumu town.
He has been in the area since Wednesday last week, holding peace meetings with the Luo and Nandi communities following the Kibigori clashes.
The violence broke out several weeks ago following theft of livestock from Kisumu, which residents suspect were driven into Nandi.
Three people were killed, several injured and more fled their homes fearing retaliatory attacks.
Kaparo said media personnel will also be trained. He urged the media to provide fair, balanced and objective coverage.
Kaparo said the commission is facing challenges in prosecuting hate speech, hence, the need to train more police officers.
He said the commission will partner with experts to provide the best possible training to the monitors.
“The officers will be required to identify and report to the commission on issues that are likely to inhibit the attainment of harmonious relations between the different ethnic groups in different counties,” Kaparo said.
He said the monitors will be deployed in the 47 counties for six months.
Hate speech is cited as one of the major causes of the 2007-08 post-election violence, Kaparo said.
He said the monitors will be required to report on the cohesion status of their respective regions.
They will attend political rallies and meetings and make note of inflammatory statements.
