Courts are a letdown when it comes to tackling hate speech cases, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has said.
NCIC Chairman Francis ole Kaparo said shortage of funds, lack of people to monitor and investigate hate speech, incitement and threats were the major impediments in taming the loose tongues of politicians.
These ingredients, he said, together with the laxity of the judicial system, were driving Kenya into conflict.
"We plead with the courts to understand the nature of the country we are living in. They have a mandate to save the nation from burning itself down to ashes," said Mr Kaparo.
Citing the case of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and his Kabete counterpart Ferdinand Waititu, Kaparo said he had written countless times to the court to withdraw bails, but his pleas had gone unanswered.
"But we are still going to write to the court submitting the same request," he reiterated.
In February, Mr Kuria was released on a Sh10 million bond and a warning not to repeat a similar offence.
Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko also went to court at the time to seek cancellation of the same.
"We now want to work with the DPP so that we build cases that go through to prosecution," said Kaparo.
Since its inception six years ago, NCIC has handled 900 cases, with 20 prosecutions, six of which were successful.
One of the 10 active cases currently under investigation is Waititu's, as a result of his latest utterances alongside Kuria.
Kaparo said he was 'thoroughly' distressed with the current state where politicians are applauded when they deliver such speeches.
"Irrespective of our finance and human resource challenges, all war mongers must be brought to book," he said.
Kaparo asked the media to give blackouts to such politicians to reduce unnecessary political excitement.
