NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma over remarks he allegedly made in Homa Bay County ahead of the violence that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi rally on August 16.
In a statement dated August 17, the commission directed Kaluma to appear before it on Wednesday, August 19, at 10 a.m. to assist with investigations into utterances he allegedly made during political gatherings in Homa Bay.
The NCIC warned that failure to honour the summons could result in an arrest warrant and possible criminal or contempt proceedings.
“TAKE NOTICE that failure to appear in person at the aforementioned place, date, and time will lead to warrants of arrest being issued for your arrest and production before the Commission and/or the institution of criminal and/or contempt proceedings against you,” the commission warned.
NCIC cites alleged remarks on one-term campaign
The commission said it had obtained verbatim statements attributed to Kaluma from separate gatherings and was examining their content as part of its investigation.
According to NCIC’s translation of the remarks, Kaluma allegedly warned people supporting a “one-term movement” that they should be dealt with.
“As of today, we are issuing the command that anyone who says one term deal with them,” the commission quoted Kaluma as saying in part.
The NCIC also cited alleged remarks in which the MP reportedly told hotel owners in Homa Bay to provide lists of their guests to facilitate inspections.
The commission further said Kaluma allegedly spoke about having paid for fuel to facilitate the movement of supporters around Homa Bay and Rodi towns.
According to the statements cited by NCIC, Kaluma also insisted that Homa Bay remained an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) stronghold supporting President William Ruto’s bid for a second term in the 2027 General Election.
The commission is expected to question Kaluma over the context and meaning of the remarks as it investigates whether they amounted to hate speech, incitement or other offences under the law.
Summons follow Homa Bay rally violence
The summons come amid heightened political tensions following violence that disrupted the Linda Mwananchi movement’s activities in Homa Bay on August 16.
The unrest left two people dead and 54 others injured, according to figures cited from Homa Bay Referral Hospital. Of those injured, 40 reportedly sustained injuries from machete attacks.
Police operations following the violence also resulted in the arrest of at least 17 suspects linked to the unrest.
The National Police Service has separately announced a broader crackdown on suspected criminal gangs following the incidents, saying dozens of suspects had been arrested and crude weapons recovered.
Linda Mwananchi demands accountability
The NCIC action comes a day after leaders and supporters aligned with Linda Mwananchi intensified calls for investigations into the Homa Bay violence.
The movement has called for Kaluma and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga to publicly account for their alleged knowledge of, or response to, the violence.
Linda Mwananchi has also demanded explanations from security agencies over the alleged role of their personnel during the clashes.
The movement has called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, to explain the alleged presence and conduct of their officers during the incidents.
The allegations against Kaluma, Wanga and security agencies have not been independently established.
The NCIC summons, however, signal that the commission is formally examining Kaluma’s alleged remarks as part of the broader response to rising political tensions in Homa Bay.
Kaluma’s appearance before the commission is expected to provide him with an opportunity to respond to the allegations and clarify the context in which the statements were made.
The investigation comes as political mobilisation intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election, raising renewed concerns over inflammatory political rhetoric, public order and the responsibility of political leaders to prevent violence.
