Severe Warning Over Escalating Political Intolerance
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has issued a stern public warning regarding the resurgence of political intolerance, organized goonism, and violence across the country. In an official statement reported by Citizen Digital, NCIC Chairperson Bishop Dr. Kepha Nyamweya Omae cautioned that unchecked political intimidation, hate speech, and physical attacks risk plunging Kenya into a state of total lawlessness.
Citizen Digital
+ 1
The commission’s intervention comes in the immediate aftermath of violent confrontations witnessed during political tours in Homa Bay County, where armed youth raided hotels, set up road blockades, and physically assaulted journalists and media crews.
Citizen Digital
Core Areas of the NCIC Briefing
+————————————————————————-+
| NCIC PUBLIC WARNING MATRIX |
+————————————————————————-+
| RISK CATEGORY | COMMISSION OBSERVATION |
+———————–+————————————————-+
| Commercial Goonism | Hired youth gangs mobilized to disrupt rallies |
| Freedom of Assembly | Violations of Article 37 constitutional rights |
| Accountable Parties | Direct summonses issued to inciting politicians |
| Vulnerable Sectors | Attacks spilling into hotels, roads & media |
+———————–+————————————————-+
1. Condemnation of Hired Gangs and “Goonism”
The NCIC strongly condemned the trend where political actors mobilize armed youth to block transport corridors, destroy private property, and disrupt rival political meetings. The commission emphasized that hired gangs represent a direct affront to democratic participation and national stability.
Citizen Digital
+ 1
2. Constitutional Limits on Political Freedom
Addressing Article 37 of the Constitution—which guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket peacefully—the NCIC reiterated that political activities are permitted anywhere in the country. However, the commission stressed that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly without inciting ethnic division, disorder, or violence.
Citizen Digital
+ 1
3. Formal Summons and Political Accountability
In response to the Homa Bay clashes, the NCIC revealed that it has initiated the process of summoning key political figures suspected of orchestrating or funding the chaos. According to reporting in The Star, civic watchdogs and legal associations have urged state agencies to eliminate political impunity by prosecuting offenders without bias.
Citizen Digital
4. Urging Youth to Avoid Exploitation
Bishop Dr. Kepha Omae explicitly called on young Kenyans to resist financial exploitation by politicians seeking to hire them for violence. The NCIC urged young people to channel their energy into constructive nation-building rather than advancing political disorder.
The Star
Inter-Agency Action and Enforcement
Enforcement Workflow:
[NCIC Monitoring & Evidence Gathering] ➔ [Issuance of Summons] ➔ [NPS & ODPP Prosecution]
To prevent further breakdown of public order, the NCIC called on the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate political incitement swiftly and impartially. The commission confirmed it will intensify field monitoring across political gatherings and digital media platforms to gather evidence against actors spreading hate speech or inciting public disorder.
To watch the official statements and briefings on holding political actors accountable, view this news coverage on NCIC’s warning against political violence, which details the commission’s public address and warnings against political intimidation.
NCIC condemns all forms of hate speech, ethnic contempt, political incitement and violent rhetoric
KBC Channel 1 · 878 views
