NCIC has failed to end hate speech

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) was among key independent institutions created to protect the rights of Kenyans by the 2010 Constitution. NCIC’s main mandate is to deal with hate speech, a challenge Kenya has had to contend with for many years now.

However, the agency appears to have failed even as politicians continue to ruin the country with inflammatory statements. There are fears that this may worsen as we enter the electioneering year.

Several politicians have been taken to court over hate speech, but that is all that has happened.

We cannot allow them to continue holding the country at ransom. The NCIC and all other relevant agencies, including the police, must ensure that those implicated in hate speech are punished to serve as an example to others with similar intentions.

The Government too, must play its role to ensure the rights of citizens are protected.