The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has clarified its approach to handling alleged incitement cases, emphasizing that it will only act upon receiving formal complaints rather than reacting to viral TikTok clips or social media content.
NCIC Chairman Kepha Omae explained that the commission must follow due legal procedures supported by credible evidence before launching investigations. He highlighted the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and manipulated digital content, which necessitate thorough verification of evidence.
Key points from NCIC Chair Kepha Omae:
- Investigations commence only after official complaints are received.
- Social media clips alone are insufficient to trigger action due to risks of misinformation and AI-generated content.
- The commission conducts detailed field investigations to gather and document information for robust legal cases.
- NCIC collaborates with other government agencies through multi-agency teams to strengthen cases before recommending prosecution.
- Actions are strictly governed by the National Cohesion and Integration Act and internal procedures, not political pressure or public opinion.
- Political leaders issuing inflammatory remarks will be held accountable under the law without fear or favour.
Chairman Omae further revealed that the commission has received four formal complaints related to incitement and indicated that the names of individuals under investigation will soon be published.
This statement comes amid increased public demand for accountability over hate speech and incitement as Kenya's political environment remains highly charged.
