The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has opened investigations into former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and five other leaders over alleged hate speech and ethnic incitement, while warning that growing political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election pose a threat to national unity.
The commission announced the investigations on Tuesday in a joint statement issued after a consultative meeting with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), saying the cases are being handled independently and in line with the law. NCIC maintained that no individual would be spared where there is credible evidence of hate speech or ethnic incitement.
Those under investigation are Gachagua, Duale, Ruku, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim Mohamud, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Tipape Naini Musa and Dr Dennis Adison Ouma.
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The announcement comes days after Duale accused the commission of applying double standards in handling hate speech cases.
The Health Cabinet Secretary had insisted that he would only honour any summons from NCIC if Gachagua was also investigated over what he described as repeated tribal remarks. Duale accused the commission of selectively pursuing government officials while ignoring complaints against other political leaders.
In its statement, NCIC appeared to respond to those concerns by confirming that utterances attributed to Gachagua are among those currently under investigation.
"The Commission's mandate to monitor, investigate, and act on matters of hate speech, ethnic incitement, and threats to national cohesion is exercised without political direction, favour, or interference. We are guided solely by the law and the evidence before it," the statement read.
The commission said the ongoing investigations are being conducted within the law and due process, adding that no office or public position places anyone beyond accountability where there are credible allegations.
The commission reaffirmed that the investigations were "being undertaken strictly in accordance with due process and the law" and stressed that "no individual, regardless of office or standing, is beyond the reach of the law where credible allegations of hate speech or ethnic incitement arise."
At the same time, NCIC said all those under investigation are entitled to the protections provided under the Constitution until the process is completed.
"We also assure that all persons under investigation retain their full rights under the Constitution and the law, including the presumption of innocence, pending the conclusion of due process," it said.
NCIC and IRCK also raised concern over what they described as an increase in political intolerance, inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
"Across our counties, our airwaves, and our social media platforms, we are witnessing a troubling rise in political intolerance," the two institutions warned.
They further cautioned that, "Hate speech is not free speech; it is an assault on human dignity and on the constitutional order that binds this nation together," adding that ethnic contempt has never united the country and urging Kenyans not to repeat mistakes made in the past.
To strengthen efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence, NCIC and IRCK announced plans to enhance cooperation through real-time monitoring and early warning systems for hate speech, promote conflict-sensitive media reporting, revive the UWIANO Platform for Peace and expand interfaith peace initiatives across counties.
The commission also appealed to political leaders to conduct campaigns responsibly as the country heads towards the next election.
"Compete for votes, not for the destruction of your neighbour's dignity," the statement said.
It also urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics by reporting hate speech whenever they encounter it, avoiding the spread of inflammatory messages and choosing words that promote peace and national cohesion.