The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Vice Chairperson Irene Wanyoike has announced that it has charged in court 273 people including senior politicians for hate speech in the last two months.
Speaking in Naivasha during a Cohesion meeting with NCIC stakeholders as part of its ongoing sensitisation series across the country, Wanyoike noted that the rising cases of hate speech and incitement by senior politicians have stirred a lot of tension in the country.
She further pointed out that such kind of ill talks could push the country towards anarchy.
Commissioner Joseph Onsongo defended the commission over the allegations that it has failed to act on hate speech among politicians.
Dr Onsongo instead pointed out that the number of individuals spreading hate speech messages are expected to rise as campaigns intensify ahead of the repeat presidential election.
The Commission, however, ruled out charging Embakasi East MP Babu Owino for allegedly abusing President Uhuru Kenyatta noting that the matter does not fall under its mandate.
"We have heard and received complaints about the case of Babu Owino, but this does not fall under the Cohesion Act, but under the Penal Code," Dr Onsongo noted
Speaking during the same event, Nakuru regional Commissioner Wanyama Musiambo warned individuals who are were spreading hate through the social media platforms indicating that their days are numbered.
Mr Musiambo specifically cautioned those spreading allegations of violence and ethnic profiling in parts of Naivasha and on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.
"We have directed the CID department to track those responsible for the messages as they are meant to cause fear. Nakuru is no longer a hotspot," he stated.
Two weeks ago, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama were arrested for incitement and hate speech in different circumstances.
