NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has launched investigations into former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and several other political leaders over allegations of hate speech and incitement.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday with the Interreligious Council of Kenya, the commission said the investigations are being conducted in line with the law and that all those named remain innocent until proven guilty.
Others under investigation are Busia Governor Paul Nyongesa Otuoma, Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim Mohamud, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia and Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria.
The commission also named Tipape Naini Musa and Dr Dennis Ouma among those being investigated.
NCIC chairperson Rev. Dr Kepha Omae said the commission would not be influenced by the public standing of any individual under probe.
“These investigations are being undertaken strictly in accordance with the law. We assure that all persons under investigation retain their full rights until proven guilty,” Omae said.
He added that the commission would work closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the National Police Service (NPS) and other investigative agencies to ensure accountability where offences are established.
The NCIC also addressed growing public pressure for it to use viral social media clips as evidence in hate speech cases.
Omae said the commission cannot initiate investigations solely on the basis of short videos circulating online, insisting that formal complaints and petitions are necessary to trigger proper investigations.
“We are an institution that believes in due process. We can’t act on TikTok clips. Report cases of incitement to us,” he said.
The announcement comes amid heightened debate over controversial ethnic remarks attributed to Duale.
On Monday, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome criticised the Health CS, saying the fact that other leaders may have made offensive remarks in the past did not justify his comments. She urged Duale to withdraw the remarks and issue an unconditional apology.
Duale has publicly maintained that he will not apologise and has argued that the NCIC should also investigate Gachagua over what he described as repeated tribal remarks before taking action against him.
The investigations place several senior political figures under scrutiny at a time when concerns over inflammatory political rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation continue to dominate national debate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
