The National Cohesion and Integration Commission will train monitors to watch out for hate speech mongers ahead of the 2017 polls.
Speaking in Kisumu town on Saturday, NCIC Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo said the monitors will undergo training in social cohesion, early warning and response mechanisms as well as hate speech.
Mr Kaparo said both senior and junior officers will undergo training on how to monitor and prosecute cases concerning hate speech.
He said the training would apply to media personnel, among other sectors on the need to help deal with hate speech and incitement.
Kaparo cautioned the media to be fair, balanced and objective on reporting issues while avoiding to be used by those who want to perpetrate hate speech and divide Kenyans along tribal lines.
He said the commission is facing challenges in prosecuting hate speech cases hence the need to train more police force.
“After training, the monitors will be equipped with gadgets to aid their work,” he added.
He said the commission will partner with experts to ensure the officers receive the best training to meet the objectives that will be set for them.
“The officers will be required to identify and report to the commission on issues that are likely to inhibit the attainment of harmonious relations between the different ethnic groups in different counties,” Kaparo said.
He said the monitors will be deployed to the 47 counties for six months noting that hate speech played a major role in the 2007-08 post-election violence.
He said the monitors will be required to report on the cohesion status of their respective regions, attend political rallies and meetings and make note of inflammatory statements likely to cause tension among communities.
“They will be expected to advise NCIC on the appropriate response mechanism or interventions for a given conflict, monitor the general election and report to the commission and in particular make note of any electoral malpractises or injustices,” Kaparo said.
He said the commission is working with other institutions including the police, National Steering Committee, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to curb hate speech.
“We have politicians under investigations and some already in court over hate speech. We are telling others fond of perpetrating chaos that they will face the law,” he said.
The commission will also partner with some mobile phone service providers like Safaricom to track hate speech messages and forwarding them to the NCIC for necessary action.