Turkana South MP John Ariko Namoit and Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa/FILE
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Turkana South MP John Ariko Namoit over public utterances made in Bungoma and Turkana counties.
The Commission said it is investigating remarks made by Barasa in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, on September 19, 2026.
According to the summons dated September 22, Barasa is required to appear before the NCIC at its offices at Britam Tower, Upper Hill, Nairobi, on September 29 at 10 am.
The inquiry will examine the utterances under several provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
The NCIC cited remarks in which Barasa allegedly discussed the appointment of people from the former Western Province to senior government positions and the treatment of candidates from different communities during interviews.
In the remarks cited by the Commission, Barasa described a hypothetical situation involving candidates identified by names associated with different communities.
He claimed people from the former Western region appointed to senior positions should use those positions to advance the interests of local residents.
“Hiyo ndio maana sisi tunarudi nyuma kama jamii” (That is why we, as a community, are lagging behind).
The NCIC said the inquiry will give Barasa an opportunity to respond to the matter, provide evidence and make representations before the Commission makes a determination based on the material before it.
Separately, the Commission has summoned Namoit over remarks he allegedly made in Kaputir location, Kapurir Ward, Turkana South Constituency, on September 2, 2026.
The summons cites remarks concerning relations between the Turkana and Pokot communities, security, livestock raids and the sharing of benefits from the Lokichar Oil Basin.
Among the statements cited by the NCIC are remarks in which Namoit referred to Pokots as “fools” and “terrible animals”.
He also said: “Pokots will never see any coin from the oilfield of Lokichar Oil Basin.”
The Commission said it is investigating the utterances under provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Namoit is required to appear before the NCIC on September 29 at 2pm at the Commission's offices in Britam Tower, Upper Hill.
The Commission said he will have an opportunity to respond, adduce evidence and make representations before a determination is made.
Both summonses state that failure to appear in person could lead to warrants of arrest and possible criminal or contempt proceedings.
The summonses are part of ongoing investigations by the NCIC. They do not, by themselves, amount to a finding that either MP committed an offence.
