NCIC probes 43 cases of hate speech with 2 already in court

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is investigating 43 cases of hate speech reported between April and June this year as it seeks to foster peaceful coexistence in the country.

NCIC's chairperson, Samuel Kobia, revealed that the 43 cases are part of 67 reports filed in the last quarter.

"Two are before the court, 13 have been concluded, and 13 others were conciliated under the NCIC Act 2008 provisions," the NCIC said on Thursday.

Concerning social media issues, the commission flagged 44 cases of discrimination, out of which 24 are on incitement, 6 on hate speech, 93 on misinformation, and 68 on disinformation, totalling 268 cases.

According to NCIC, the cases have been collected from November 2023 to date.

The public has been encouraged to report incidents that may incite feelings of contempt, hatred, violence, and discrimination, or those that could disrupt harmonious coexistence in the country. These cases should be reported via the toll-free SMS number: 1547.

"We have a toll-free number, 1547, where members of the public can report cases of hate speech and ethnic contempt," Kobia stated.

The chairperson also commended Gen Z youths for embracing a tribeless identity while pushing the government to reduce taxes, fight corruption, and improve its service delivery.

“We have been closely observing the initiatives taken by Gen Z, and their tribeless stance is particularly encouraging to us. We have long advocated for a Kenya where national identity comes first, followed by other identities. For us, a group that emerges and specifically says that they are tribeless is welcome. This is the way we should deal with issues, just like we had asked Kenyans to do in the run-up to the 2022 elections, that elections be issue-based and not ethnic-based."

Protesters carry a Kenyan flag after lighting a fire along Tom Mboya Street on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, while demonstrating against the government. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)

“We welcome the fact that the Gen Z demonstrations were peaceful. We followed very closely the very first one, which was clear: it was Gen Z. As NCIC, any person or group of persons who promote a tribeless nation of Kenya is to us a very welcome initiative,” he stated.

NCIC is mandated to facilitate and promote equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony, and peaceful co-existence between persons of the different ethnic, religious, and racial communities of Kenya, and to advise the government on all aspects thereof.

It works to promote national unity, equity, and the elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination.

It also facilitates the peaceful resolution of conflicts and respect for diversity among Kenyan communities.

In July 2021, former nominated senator Judith Pareno introduced a bill that sought to rename NCIC and give it more powers to rein in hate mongers.

The National Cohesion and Peace Building Bill, 2021, sought to repeal the NCIC Act to rename the Commission to the National Cohesion and Peace Building Commission.

According to the Bill, the renamed commission would publish the names of persons or institutions whose words or conduct undermine national unity and cohesion.

"The commission shall summon witnesses, call for the production of books, plans, and other documents, and examine witnesses and parties on oath," the bill read in part.

The Bill was tabled for first reading on July 6, 2021. However, it never passed.

Police officers stand near people during a demonstration over police killings of people protesting against the imposition of tax hikes by the government in Nairobi, Kenya, July 2, 2024. (Reuters)