The National Cohesion and Integration Commission is facing
sharp criticism over its perceived inaction in reining in politicians accused
of making inflammatory remarks that threaten national stability ahead of the
2027 general election.
During a heated debate in the Senate, lawmakers expressed
concern over what they termed as the commission’s "deafening silence"
amid rising political rhetoric and provocative utterances.
“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has just
kept quiet,” Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said, decrying the NCIC’s failure to
act as politicians “beat the war drums”.
The backlash comes amid a leadership shake-up at the
commission, following the dismissal of vice chairperson Wambui Nyutu.
NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia said Nyutu was relieved of her
position for persistently engaging in partisan political activities, which he
described as “untenable” and incompatible with her constitutional and statutory
responsibilities.
“The commission unanimously resolved to relieve Nyutu of
her role as vice chairperson with immediate effect,” Kobia announced on
Tuesday.
Senator Sifuna warned that inflammatory remarks, especially
those alleging plans to rig the 2027 election in favour of President William
Ruto, could be a precursor to electoral violence reminiscent of the 2007–08
post-election crisis.
“With the history of 2007, the precursor to the violence was
interference with the will of the people,” he said.
“If we exercise our democratic right and then that right is
undermined—as some are now threatening—this country will burn, just like in
2007. We are not afraid to say it.”
Controversy erupted recently after Wajir Woman
Representative Jehow Fatuma made remarks suggesting that leaders from the Northeastern region would ensure Ruto wins the 2027 polls “by all means”—even if it
meant rigging the vote.
“Our words are simple—we're saying two terms, right? What
else is there? We're just waiting for the ballot to come. Even if we don’t have
the votes, we’ll steal it. That’s no secret,” she said, sparking national
outrage.
Her comments were condemned across the political divide,
including by members of the ruling coalition, the opposition and the
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), who termed them
reckless and dangerous.
Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian expressed alarm at what
she described as a growing trend of unchecked, inflammatory rhetoric,
particularly along ethnic lines.
She questioned what steps the NCIC was taking to monitor,
regulate and deter the use of both traditional and digital media to spread
hate speech.
“These inciteful statements, war propaganda, hatred and
ethnic incitement are spreading online, yet the commission remains silent,”
Lemaletian said.
“What are NCIC and other oversight bodies doing to promote
responsible communication and safeguard freedom of expression while preventing
ethnic polarisation?”
She further sought clarification on whether the commission
had proposed any policy reforms to strengthen internet governance and curb the
use of social media to propagate hate speech, incite violence, or promote
ethnic animosity.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is a
statutory agency established under the National Cohesion and Integration Act
No12 of 2008. The establishment of NCIC recognised the need for a national
institution to promote national identity and values, mitigate ethno-political
competition and ethnically motivated violence, eliminate discrimination on
ethnic, racial and religious basis and promote national reconciliation and
healing.
