- “This will go a long way in containing hate speech and ensuring our nation is secure during this electioneering period,” he said.
- The commission said it has been monitoring the ongoing political rallies and have pointed out 51 cases of hate speech.
Image: NCIC/TWITTER
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission is set to publish a list of Kiswahili, English and vernacular words that will constitute coded hate speech.
NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia said the words will henceforth be banned in public rallies, social media posts and political talk shows.
Kobia spoke on Friday during a press conference at his office.
“This will go a long way in containing hate speech and ensuring our nation is secure during this electioneering period,” he said.
The strategy comes hot on the heels of a storm over the use of the word 'madoadoa' in rallies.
The word is deemed to have the potential to raise ethnic tensions ahead of the August polls.
ODM leader Raila Odinga and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi have found themselves at loggerheads with NCIC over the use of the word.
Raila used the word on March 9 when he took his Azimio la Umoja campaigns to Wajir county as he drummed up support for his presidential bid.
Linturi on the other hand was accused of making inflammatory remarks during Deputy President William Ruto’s rally in Eldoret on January 8. The 'madoadoa' remarks led to his arrest and arraignment.
The commission said it has been monitoring the ongoing political rallies and have pointed out 51 cases of hate speech.
They said the cases have been recorded and are currently at different stages of investigations.
Kobia said social media platforms are mostly used by the Azimio and Kenya Kwanza coalitions to spread hate speech.
As a result, 36 social media platforms are under close scrutiny by the commission.
The chairman said those found culpable will be pulled down by the Communication Authority of Kenya.
Kobia also said security teams should be alert and deal with criminals behind inter-communal conflicts, occasioned by stock theft and incitements.
“We are aware the objective behind such vices is to cause internal displacements. The NCIC remains committed to resolving the roadblocks to peace,” he said.
The chairman said the conflict hot spot mapping in eight regions (former administrative provinces) by NCIC is ongoing.
He said they have identified additional counties for possible political violence in Northeastern and Coast.
The NCIC also said it has noticed an increase of stock theft, which they claim is a trigger for tension and conflict among communities living along cross-border areas.
It also said it is closely monitoring hot spots in Kisumu, Kericho and Nandi counties.
The areas include Koguta, Londiani Fort Tenan, Sondu, Nyagacho, Chebao, Bureti and Kasoit.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)