The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has asked Kenyans to work closely with them in efforts to curb hate speech among politicians during this electioneering period.
NCIC says Kenyans should play an active role in helping ensure there is a peaceful election by recording and sharing with them hate speeches that politicians make.
Isaac Munya, an officer from the commission however says they have already partnered with the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on monitoring hate speech.
“We are working with DCI to help us monitor political forums. They have gadgets where they record speeches made,” Munya said.
“We are urging Kenyans that if you find a forum where politicians are propagating hate speech and incitement, record and share with us so that action can be taken,” he added.
Munya was speaking in Eldoret during the opening of a three-day training for peace actors from Uasin Gishu County.
He also revealed that they have enhanced surveillance of social media, in an effort to curb the spread of hate speech on the platform.
The NCIC officer said so far, several individuals have been arrested and prosecuted for spreading hate speech on social media.
“We urge Kenyans to use social media for good not bad things,” he said.
In the training, Munya said the peace actors will be equipped with skills that will enable them to take an active role in preaching peace and cohesion at the grassroots.
The training brings together among others, Civil Society members, youths, and religious leaders.
It is part of an ‘Uchaguzi Bila Noma’ initiative of NCIC under the funding of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
Programs Deputy Coordinator at ECES Manji Wilson says the initiative is aimed at deepening the country’s democracy, governance and promoting cohesion and peace.
“Our core mandate is ensuring a peaceful election that promotes cohesion, inclusion and reveals an outcome that is appreciated by all,” Manji said.
Several pieces of training targeted at different key players in the electoral process have already been conducted in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
