Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has been put on notice over his public remarks after appearing before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to answer allegations of hate speech, ethnic incitement and divisive statements.
Ruku spent Tuesday, September 1, before the commission, giving his account of remarks that had attracted the attention of NCIC as it investigates statements made by several senior political leaders.
The commission had placed Ruku under investigation in July together with other leaders whose public comments were flagged for possible breaches of laws on hate speech and national cohesion.
NCIC announced on July 28 that it was investigating the CS and other leaders over the remarks.
The commission later summoned Ruku to appear and record a statement, with the formal summons made public on August 4.
After his appearance on Tuesday, Ruku said he had been given an opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the remarks and provide the context in which they were made.
He said the discussions with the commission had been positive and that he had responded to the issues that required clarification.
"We had a very cordial and good discussions this morning with the entire commission and we have clarified where we needed to clarify and we are moving in a very good direction," Ruku said.
The CS said NCIC would now study the information it had gathered together with the explanations he had provided before deciding what action, if any, should follow.
"The resolution is that the NCIC will be retreating to do the analysis of what they have and what I have explained and then they will make a determination in the coming week or so. That is the conclusion," he said.
Ruku's appearance is part of a wider series of hearings by NCIC as the commission examines public statements by leaders amid heightened political activity ahead of the 2027 electioneering period.
Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia appeared before the commission on August 24, followed by Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who appeared on August 31.
NCIC said on Tuesday that Kaluma and Otuoma had responded to their summons and presented their submissions concerning the statements being investigated.
The commission said it had recorded their responses and was reviewing the matters before deciding on the next steps.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale are among other senior leaders who have recently come under the commission's scrutiny as part of the wider investigation into potentially divisive public remarks.
Ruku, meanwhile, called on political leaders to exercise caution in their public addresses and avoid comments that could encourage hatred or trigger violence.
He also said leaders should work with constitutional bodies whenever they are called upon to explain their conduct or statements.
"And when called upon by any constitutional institution, we should respect that," he said.
The CS will now wait for NCIC to complete its review of the material before issuing its determination, which he said could come in the coming week or so.