The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has had three convictions since it was set up in 2008, its legal department has said.
Department head Kyalo Mwengi, however, said on Friday that the commission has over 30 active cases of hate speech and ethnic contempt before court and more than 100 others under investigation.
He said most politicians engaging in hate speech are mostly from urban areas. NCIC was established under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008.
“That is where we experience this challenge of hate speech where we have a multiethnic group in an area. But in homogeneous communities, this one does not happen because most probably, the area is occupied by the same ethnic group.”
Mwengi said they will take stern action against aspirants who will engage in hate speech or the offense of ethnic contempt, investigate and forward the files to the DPP for action as the country heads to the 2022 general election.
He spoke at the YMCA Hall in Nyeri town when the commission met with members of the Matatu Welfare Association, a bodaboda association, the National Youth Council, representatives from the national government, politicians, peace actors and Nyumba Kumi officials.
Mwengi said the commission has developed a road map to ensure a peaceful election in 2022 themed 'Uchagui Bila Noma' alongside a decency and peace charter.
“We have several decency and peace charters targeting different groups. The first group is that of political aspirants, the second group is political parties and institutions, and then we also have members of the public,” he said.
People who sign the charter undertake to adhere to peaceful campaigns because political parties and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission have an elaborate code of conduct.
The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties also has an elaborate code of conduct where parties are supposed to rein in their wayward members, he said.
Aspirants will have to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful and decent manner, while members of the public will be required to hold them to account.
Senior assistant county commissioner Kose Ndalo, who represented the county commissioner, said the stakeholders were selected because they play a critical role in ensuring peace, especially during heightened political activities.
He said the meeting was meant to ensure they become proactive and ensure a peaceful environment.
