The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Renson Ingonga has committed to a robust crackdown on goonism and inflammatory statements, emphasizing that no individual will be exempt from prosecution regardless of their position.
Addressing the media following the 38th National Council on the Administration of Justice (NCAJ) meeting in Mombasa, Ingonga underscored the collaboration between the DPP’s office, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to ensure accountability for those promoting chaos and ethnic divisions.
Zero Tolerance on Hate Speech and Ethnic Incitement
Ingonga highlighted that political figures making divisive remarks will also face legal scrutiny. "We only have one country, and that is Kenya. We will not allow some individuals with their own issues to influence otherwise good Kenyans into a state of anarchy," he stated.
The DPP’s remarks coincide with ongoing NCIC investigations into alleged hate speech by several prominent leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and others. These inquiries are conducted under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, with all suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty.
NCIC’s Role and Public Advisory
NCIC has warned against the rising trend of ethnic mobilization, inflammatory rhetoric, and cyber harassment, which threaten national unity. The commission is intensifying efforts to monitor hate speech, revive peace platforms, and promote civic education.
NCIC Chairperson Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya Omae emphasized the need for formal complaints before investigations commence, cautioning against reliance on social media clips alone due to risks of misinformation or AI-generated content.
Political Reactions
Among those investigated, Gachagua defended his remarks as figurative language aimed at electoral change rather than hate speech, challenging NCIC to take action if they believe otherwise.
The government’s firm stance signals a broader commitment to uphold peace, cohesion, and the rule of law amid increasing political tensions ahead of upcoming elections.
