The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in its list of Swahili, English and vernacular phrases that amount to hate speech included the term 'Sipangwingwi'.
The phrase has been widely used in Deputy President William Ruto's camp.
According to NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia, the term which can loosely be translated to 'I cannot be arranged' contains elements of hate speech against families that have been at the centre of power.
"The phrase is used to target specific families and communities that have been in power for long, particularly the Luo and Kikuyu," Kobia said.
He further said the statement is used to underscore the fact that some families and communities have been at the periphery of national leadership and influence for so long and they no longer want to remain out.
The term came to be after the song 'Sipangwingwi' by Exray Taniua, a Gengetone artist, became popular among Kenyans.
In November 2021, during a meeting at his Karen residence, Ruto used the phrase to imply that the choice of leadership in the August 9, polls cannot be influenced by a few influential people.
"Vile wakenya wamesema hawapangwingwi, na mimi nataka niwaambie... mimi pia kama hustler sipangwingwi. Wao wanaweza kupangwa na deep state system lakini sisi hatupangwingwi," he said.
Loosely translated to: "Just like Kenyans who have said that they will not be told on who to elect, I also want to say that I won't be directed politically. They can be directed by the deep state but we can not be directed by them on who to choose".
On March 15, 2022, during the UDA presidential flagbearer unveiling, Ruto danced to his signature campaign song dubbed 'Mimi Sipangwingwi' remix.
The song has been widely used in his campaign rallies.
