NCIC under fire for inaction as politicians threaten peace ahead of 2027 polls

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission is facing sharp criticism over its perceived inaction in reining in politicians accused of making inflammatory remarks that threaten national stability ahead of the 2027 general election.

During a heated debate in the Senate, lawmakers expressed concern over what they termed as the commission’s "deafening silence" amid rising political rhetoric and provocative utterances.

“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has just kept quiet,” Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said, decrying the NCIC’s failure to act as politicians “beat the war drums”.

The backlash comes amid a leadership shake-up at the commission, following the dismissal of vice chairperson Wambui Nyutu.

NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia said Nyutu was relieved of her position for persistently engaging in partisan political activities, which he described as “untenable” and incompatible with her constitutional and statutory responsibilities.

“The commission unanimously resolved to relieve Nyutu of her role as vice chairperson with immediate effect,” Kobia announced on Tuesday.

Senator Sifuna warned that inflammatory remarks, especially those alleging plans to rig the 2027 election in favour of President William Ruto, could be a precursor to electoral violence reminiscent of the 2007–08 post-election crisis.

“With the history of 2007, the precursor to the violence was interference with the will of the people,” he said.

“If we exercise our democratic right and then that right is undermined—as some are now threatening—this country will burn, just like in 2007. We are not afraid to say it.”

Controversy erupted recently after Wajir Woman Representative Jehow Fatuma made remarks suggesting that leaders from the Northeastern region would ensure Ruto wins the 2027 polls “by all means”—even if it meant rigging the vote.

“Our words are simple—we're saying two terms, right? What else is there? We're just waiting for the ballot to come. Even if we don’t have the votes, we’ll steal it. That’s no secret,” she said, sparking national outrage.

Her comments were condemned across the political divide, including by members of the ruling coalition, the opposition and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), who termed them reckless and dangerous.

Nominated Senator Hezena Lemaletian expressed alarm at what she described as a growing trend of unchecked, inflammatory rhetoric, particularly along ethnic lines.

She questioned what steps the NCIC was taking to monitor, regulate and deter the use of both traditional and digital media to spread hate speech.

“These inciteful statements, war propaganda, hatred and ethnic incitement are spreading online, yet the commission remains silent,” Lemaletian said.

“What are NCIC and other oversight bodies doing to promote responsible communication and safeguard freedom of expression while preventing ethnic polarisation?”

She further sought clarification on whether the commission had proposed any policy reforms to strengthen internet governance and curb the use of social media to propagate hate speech, incite violence, or promote ethnic animosity.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is a statutory agency established under the National Cohesion and Integration Act No12 of 2008. The establishment of NCIC recognised the need for a national institution to promote national identity and values, mitigate ethno-political competition and ethnically motivated violence, eliminate discrimination on ethnic, racial and religious basis and promote national reconciliation and healing.