National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). The commission has been slow in dealing with hate speech in the country. (interpeace.org)
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has been tasked with the responsibility of ensuring hate mongers in the society are dealt with. However, there has been a rise of the vice in the country despite the existence of NCIC. Kenyans have continued to make hateful remarks about others in regards to their ethnic groups be it on social media, political campaigns or any other platform. NCIC has been 'toothless' in cornering the culprits and making them pay for their utterances.
Hate mongering has further been facilitated by the unending political season in the country. The opposing political ideas have turned Kenyans against each other and insults and negative traits have been directed towards given groups of people. This has been welcomed by the political class that only thrives on the divide and rule mentality.
The main problem with hate speech is the fact that it is being propagated by elected leaders in the country. Some MPs, senators, governors have been alleged to have made certain remarks against certain groups of people during their political campaigns. In fact, they get cheered on by their supporters when they are making these hateful remarks.
However, most of these leaders get off the hook once arrested and charged. The courts in most cases cite the lack of evidence as the main reason of halting the progress of the cases. On the other hand, NCIC tries to absolve itself by making it clear that they did their work and forwarded the cases to courts for further action. But why the lack of evidence then? It is not a surprise that in most of the hate speech cases, the alleged culprits are repeat offenders.
Since NCIC has failed to make an impact on hate mongering, Kenyans have taken it upon themselves to emulate what their leaders are doing. That is why Kenyans make hateful remarks on social media without fear of the confines of NCIC law or the effects their statements may have on the coexistence among Kenyans.
NCIC should stop their PR stunts and must ensure they work against all hate mongers in the society. The commission should build strong cases against hate speech cases so that anyone alleged to have made hateful remarks gets jailed. Failure to curb the vice early will only translate to many other people making hateful remarks either as repeat offenders or first timers.
And the fight against hate mongering should not be graded to either class or status. Anyone who makes a hateful remark (s) must face the full force of the law.