National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to maintain a constant presence in promoting peace and national cohesion, saying the Commission should not wait until election campaigns to address ethnic tensions and hate speech.
Addressing the Commission led by Chairperson Bishop Kepha Omae at Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, Wetang'ula said NCIC was created to help heal divisions that emerged after the 2007 post-election violence and should remain actively involved in uniting Kenyans throughout the electoral cycle.
He said one of the Commission's biggest tasks is restoring public confidence by demonstrating that its work extends beyond election years.
"NCIC suffers from serious trust issues. The Commission was formed after the 2007 post-election violence to help unite the country and bridge political divisions. It should not only be active during elections," Wetang'ula said.
The Speaker said long-term peace can only be achieved by investing in civic education that shapes attitudes and encourages citizens to embrace one another regardless of their backgrounds.
"Changing our mindset through education is far more important," he said.
Wetang'ula said diversity should be celebrated and not turned into a tool for exclusion or discrimination, adding that every Kenyan has the right to identify with their community without creating divisions.
"There is nothing wrong with belonging to a particular ethnic community. The problem comes when that identity is used to oppress and disadvantage others," he said.
He also encouraged the Commission to partner with the Ministry of Education so that values of unity and peaceful coexistence are instilled in learners from an early age.
"Let us help the Ministry of Education build a culture of unity among our children because they are the ones who will shape the future," he said.
The Speaker further called for stronger coordination between NCIC and agencies such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the Judiciary and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying closer cooperation would improve the Commission's effectiveness.
"You have the power to investigate, but prosecution is the responsibility of the Director of Public Prosecutions. NCIC must define its role, put its house in order and earn the confidence of Kenyans. Parliament will support the Commission within the law," he said.
Wetang'ula also reminded the Commission that elections begin long before polling day and continue even after the results are declared, making it necessary for NCIC to remain alert in dealing with hate speech and divisive politics.
"Elections are not just about voting. They are a process, and NCIC has a critical role in protecting communities from hate speech and leaders who spread division," he said.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula at Parliament Buildings, Nairobi on August 5, 2026.
PHOTO/SPU
Responding to the Speaker, NCIC Chairperson Bishop Kepha Omae said the Commission has already mapped out activities leading to the 2027 General Election, with emphasis on prevention, collaboration and public participation.
"We have a roadmap. We are working with other government agencies and political leaders across the country. Our goal is to reduce political polarisation and ethnic divisions," Omae said.
He said the Commission will sustain dialogue with political leaders to encourage responsible leadership and peaceful political competition.
"We are asking our leaders to lower the political temperature. We want healthy and peaceful politics," he said.
Omae added that NCIC plans to expand its outreach by working closely with elders, religious leaders, schools and other learning institutions to address emerging challenges affecting communities.
"We will work with schools and other learning institutions. This roadmap will help us address emerging challenges in our communities," he said.
NCIC Commissioner Jerusha Mwaathime appealed to Parliament to strengthen the Commission's legal mandate, saying additional investigative powers would enable it to handle cases more effectively.
"We need stronger legal tools to deal with some of the cases we investigate. The Commission's powers should be expanded to allow more effective investigations," Mwaathime said.