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We’re probing 38 hate speech cases, says cohesion agency

Friday, January 31st, 2020 00:00 | By
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya with NCIC commissioner Samuel Kona in Nakuru, yesterday. Photo/PD/ROY LUMBE

Noah Cheploen @cheploennoah

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has said it is investigating 38 hate speech cases with most of the alleged perpetrators being legislators in both national and county levels as well as bloggers. 

At the same time, the commission has intensified cohesion and peace building in violence hotspots in the Rift Valley ahead of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) likely referendum. 

Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya, NCIC commissioners Danvas Makori, Dorcas Kedogo and Sam Kona singled out Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and Narok as areas of concern.

“As you know Rift Valley is a very important and strategic region and by far the largest in population and size; and Nakuru being the headquarters for that matter plays a critical role… how Nakuru goes so the country goes,” said Makori.

“Given the history of violence in the past, we’re going to deploy our resources to ensure that there is peace and unity in this place and we are working closely with police and other government agencies, ” he said. 

“As a commission, we are committed given our mandate is to build cohesion and unity and make sure that our country holds together in the coming referendum processes and the 2022 General Election,” Makori added. 

He said the commission was also concerned with deteriorating security situation in the North Rift region, namely Turkana, Samburu and Baringo, saying they will focus on the areas to ensure harmonious relationship is restored. 

Be proactive

“I want to urge our politicians to put the country ahead because some are agitating for peace in public but behind the scenes they are inciting people against each other… we are warning them that we are aware and investigating them” he added.  

“Our strategy is simple and clear. To be proactive and preemptive,” he said.

At the same time, Natembeya regretted that perennial cattle rustling had metamorphosed into deep-rooted ethnic animosity where Pokot and Turkana communities are locked in an endless series of revenge and retaliations. 

“The relationship between Pokot and Turkana has become so bad that when one comes in another goes out because they cannot sit in one place…” said Natembeya. 

Citing Monday’s attack where three people including one policeman were killed at Kasarani area in Kapedo, Natembeya said that attackers sprayed the police truck with bullets just because they had given a lift to members of a rival community.  

“We have more than 1,500 policemen in Tiaty but you cannot solve ethnic hatred by deploying police officers,” he said.

The administrator said they will deploy more police officers to Narok South where clans have been fighting over boundaries in the last few weeks.

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