List of Words/Terms NCIC has categorized as Hate Speech

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has released a list of popularly used words that it says will now be considered hate speech.

Use of the words, from now henceforth, by politicians could attract legal action.

According to NCIC chairperson Rev. Samuel Kobia, the words listed have the potential to incite violence between two or more ethnic communities in Kenya.

“We have therefore taken the bull by its horns through this exercise of identifying terms and coded language that has been commonly used in Kenya’s political landscape with the intent to incite violence against various communities of differing political stances,” reads a statement from NCIC issued on Friday, April 8, 2022.

NCIC however says the words categorized as hate speech should not be considered comprehensive.

This is due to what the NCIC boss says some of the words might be used innocently and out of context.

“As such, this remains a living document since the terms and the coded language shall be regularly updated for use in the social media tracking of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission,” Kobia said.

“The terms shall also be shared continually with the public in order to enhance their readiness and resilience against manipulation and polarization by political leaders and other influential persons intent is to incite communities against others,” he added.

Here is the list of the hate speech terms:

• Uncircumcised
• Fumigation
• Eliminate
• Kill
• Kaffir
• Madoadoa
• Chunga Kura
• Kama noma noma
• Kwekwe
• Mende
• Hatupangwingwi
• Operation Linda kura
• Watu wa kurusha mawe
• Watajua hawajui
• Wabara waende kwao
• Wakuja (Those that come)
• Uthamaki ni witu
• Kimurkeldet (Brown teeth)
• Otutu Labatonik (uproot the weed)

The inclusion of ‘Hatupangwingi’ in the list has however caused an uproar among a section of the politicians allied with Deputy President William Ruto.

The word has been popularly used by the DP and his allies while on the campaign trail.

Reacting to the new development, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said; “Hey @NCIC_Kenya HATUPANGWINGWI. Volume Iko sawa ama niongeze?”

“The @NCIC_Kenya stopped short of declaring “Kazi ni Kazi” as hate speech and “wheelbarrow” as a dangerous weapon,” he added in another tweet.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot also questioned the legality of NCIC’s decision.

“Under which law is @NCIC_Kenya trying to panga us? Hustler Nation tunaeaambia… … Atii Mnasemaje?…. Sijaskia vizurii…,” he said in a post on his official Twitter handle.

DP Ruto on his part tweeted a remix of the popular hit ‘Sipangwingwi’ few hours after the word was listed as hate speech.

“Hatupangwingwi!” he tweeted while sharing a video of the song.