The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has yet again failed to name or hold accountable individuals behind the recent inflammatory remarks and incitement.
This, even as pressure continues to grow from Kenyans and leaders for it to take action following the wave of protests that have led to loss of lives and destruction of property in various parts of the country.
Addressing the press Tuesday, NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia instead issued a carefully worded statement calling for calm and dialogue.
“We urge all leaders, political, religious, civic, and community-based, not to incite or exploit the frustrations of young people for political gain,” Kobia said in statement.
“We call on them to join efforts to mentor, guide, and empower the youth as active contributors to nation-building.”
The commission has been under immense pressure from leaders especially from the Kenya Kwanza wing to name the inciters, enforce the law, and show that it is more than just a talking shop.
His address comes in the wake of Saba Saba protests where a total of 11 individuals were killed in various towns.
Many had expected the commission, tasked with preventing hate speech and promoting national unity, will take decisive steps against those inciting violence for political gain.
In his address, Kobia emphasised the need to transform protests into platforms for progress and frustrations into fuel for reform.
Despite the backlash, the chairperson maintained the commission is playing its part by facilitating meaningful dialogue.
He said as a guardian of national conscience and cohesion, they have been deliberately engaging with key stakeholders, particularly Gen Z, through its Transgenerational Framework, a national initiative developed in partnership with the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD).
“We are committed to facilitating dialogues across the country and ensuring that the voices of all generations are not only heard but acted upon,” Kobia said, noting that the People’s Dialogue Forum is already underway in several counties.
He called on institutions, government agencies, county governments, civil society, faith-based groups, academia, media, and the private sector, to actively participate in these ongoing forums.
According to Kobia, these platforms offer a safe, inclusive space for citizens to reflect on the country’s underlying governance challenges, ranging from generational mistrust and youth exclusion to economic injustice and weak accountability structures.
