The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Mukurwe-ini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia to record statements over alleged hate speech. The four leaders are expected to start appearing before the commission next week.
According to the commission, Gachagua’s file has already been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions after investigations were completed. The commission stressed that its summonses have the full force of the law. Anyone who fails to appear risks having a warrant of arrest issued against them.
These developments come at a time when political temperatures in the country are rising ahead of the next general election.
In late July the commission had publicly named several leaders, including Duale, Gachagua and Ruku, among those under investigation for remarks that could amount to hate speech or ethnic incitement.
The investigations were announced jointly with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya. Commission chairperson Rev. Dr Kepha Omae said the process would be guided strictly by the law and that every person under probe remains innocent until proven guilty.
Duale had earlier said he would only honour a summons if Gachagua was also called to answer over remarks the Health Cabinet Secretary claimed targeted the Somali and Muslim communities.
Ruku echoed a similar view, arguing that the commission should start with Gachagua. Gachagua, for his part, has questioned the independence of the commission and dismissed some of the claims against him.
Kaguchia’s inclusion follows recent comments he made at a political rally in Nyeri County. The MP was briefly detained by detectives after the remarks drew public attention, though he maintained that any questions about the statements properly belonged with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. He said he was ready to appear if summoned.
The commission has repeatedly warned politicians against using language that divides communities or promotes ethnic hostility. It has urged leaders to choose their words carefully and has called on members of the public to report any cases of alleged hate speech through official channels so that proper investigations can take place.
The summonses signal that the commission intends to apply the same standards to leaders regardless of their position or political standing.
All four men will have the chance to record their statements and respond to the allegations. The outcome of the process will depend on the evidence gathered and the decisions of the relevant authorities, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions where files have already been submitted.
