NCIC Chairperson Kepha Omae addresses the media during a press briefing. NCIC/X
Kenya's key constitutional commissions and law enforcement agencies have issued a joint warning over what they describe as a sharp rise in hate speech, ethnic incitement and political intolerance.
The agencies say those found culpable will face the full force of the law ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a joint press statement released on August 3, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the National Police Service (NPS), the Communications Authority (CA) and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) expressed concern over the country's political climate.
The agencies said public spaces and online platforms have increasingly been flooded with "hate speech, ethnic contempt, vulgar language and unprintable political intolerance," warning that if left unchecked, the trend could undermine national unity and peaceful coexistence.
"We reaffirm our unwavering, joint commitment to protecting national unity, promoting peaceful coexistence, and securing a credible, violence-free electoral environment ahead of the 2027 General Election," the statement reads.
The institutions warned that political rhetoric is increasingly being used to divide Kenyans along ethnic and political lines rather than promote democratic debate.
"Hate speech is not free speech; it is an assault on human dignity and on the constitutional order that binds this nation together," the agencies said, adding that such conduct could destroy "in days the cohesion it took generations to build."
The statement revealed that investigations have already commenced into several reported cases.
"The Commission and relevant law enforcement agencies have commenced investigations on these cases and many others that we have noted," it says, describing the incidents as "part of a deliberate and worrying pattern of rhetoric aimed at dividing Kenyans along ethnic and political lines for narrow personal or political gain."
The agencies reminded leaders and the public that although Article 33 of the Constitution protects freedom of expression, the right is not absolute.
They noted that the Constitution does not protect propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that amounts to ethnic incitement, vilification or incitement to cause harm.
They further cited the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008, saying it criminalises hate speech and the stirring up of ethnic hatred, hostility, violence and discrimination.
The statement also stressed that all Kenyans are equal before the law regardless of ethnicity, religion, region or political affiliation.
"It is not the place of any leader to coerce, manipulate, or incite citizens through ethnic appeals or fear-mongering in pursuit of votes," the agencies said.
In a strongly worded warning, they declared: "ANY LEADER WHO ATTEMPTS TO DO SO WILL ANSWER FOR IT."
To strengthen enforcement, the institutions announced the formation of a high-level Multi-Agency Steering Committee supported by a Technical Operations Committee.
The teams will coordinate the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of hate speech, ethnic incitement, political intolerance and electoral violence. They will also oversee real-time monitoring, evidence preservation, case referrals and enforcement through a common accountability framework.
The agencies warned that political parties, candidates, officials and supporters who engage in hate speech, intimidation, violence or disruption of lawful political activities will face sanctions provided by law.
These include warnings, fines, party disciplinary action, prosecution and, where legal thresholds are met, disqualification from candidature or participation in the electoral process.
They also called on the Judiciary to prioritise cases involving hate speech, political incitement and electoral violence while safeguarding the constitutional rights of all parties.
The joint statement concluded with an appeal to political leaders and citizens to uphold national unity.
"We demand that all political leaders exercise political hygiene in word and in conduct," the agencies said, urging Kenyans to report hate speech and refuse to amplify divisive messages.
