KANU Chairman Gideon Moi has condemned the growing use of inflammatory and ethnically charged political rhetoric, warning that divisive remarks by political leaders risk undermining national cohesion and peaceful coexistence as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the KANU chairman expressed concern over what he described as the increasing use of reckless language aimed at dividing Kenyans along political, regional and communal lines.
"The continued use of borderline inflammatory language, ethnic profiling, and reckless utterances by political leaders seeking to divide Kenyans along political, regional, or communal lines is regrettable," Moi said.
He warned that such rhetoric posed a direct threat to national unity, particularly as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls.
"Such utterances undermine our national cohesion and threaten peaceful coexistence, especially as we head to the 2027 general elections," he said.
Moi's remarks came a day after NCIC announced investigations into former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim Mohamud, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Tipape Naini Musa and Dr Dennis Adison Ouma over alleged hate speech and ethnic incitement.
The commission said the investigations were being conducted independently and strictly in accordance with the law, insisting that no individual would be shielded where credible evidence exists.
NCIC also cautioned that the country was witnessing a worrying increase in political intolerance, inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation as the next General Election approaches.
Echoing those concerns, Moi urged political leaders to embrace issue-based politics instead of exploiting ethnic or regional differences for political gain.
"Indeed, our greatest strength as a people lies in our diversity. Therefore, political competition should never turn fellow citizens into enemies, nor should differences in opinion become the basis for communities to distrust one another or for our nation to descend into division," he said.
He further reminded leaders that they carried a greater responsibility because of the influence they wield in society.
"More importantly, political leaders bear a higher moral responsibility to exercise restraint and uphold dignity in public discourse," Moi said.
The KANU chairman called on Kenyans to reject divisive politics and instead work together to safeguard peace and national unity.
"We must continue upholding unity as our shield and greatest defence in moments of challenge and collectively recommit ourselves to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Kenya," he said.
His appeal adds to growing calls from political, religious and civic leaders for restraint in public discourse as the country prepares for the 2027 elections, amid concerns that unchecked hate speech and ethnic incitement could erode national cohesion.