NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has urged the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to strengthen its crackdown on hate speech and political incitement ahead of the 2027 General Election, warning that failure to act could heighten the risk of election-related violence.
During a consultative meeting between the two organisations, the NCCK called on the commission to establish a hate speech and incitement monitoring and rapid response mechanism to collect evidence, track offenders and facilitate prosecution regardless of political affiliation.
The church also cautioned against underestimating the risks associated with an election in which an incumbent president is seeking re-election, noting that such contests have historically been marked by heightened political tensions.
“Traditionally, incumbency elections have been marked by intense polarization, heavy electioneering, and violence before, during and after the polls, as was the case in 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2017,” NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui said.
“If this trend holds, then we can expect the 2027 elections to potentially be brutally violent,” he added.
Beyond tackling hate speech, the NCCK recommended that the NCIC work closely with community peace committees to identify financiers of political goons and ensure they are investigated and prosecuted.
The council noted that political goonism has become increasingly common, with hired gangs allegedly being used to intimidate political opponents, disrupt rallies, block roads, interfere with public demonstrations and break up political meetings.
To strengthen public confidence, the NCCK also urged the commission to demonstrate impartiality by publishing clear election-cycle cohesion protocols and presenting itself as an independent and even-handed enforcer of the law.
NCIC Chairperson Bishop Kepha Omae welcomed the proposals, saying they were consistent with the commission’s constitutional mandate to promote national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Omae commended the NCCK for its continued role in peacebuilding and proposed structured collaboration between the two institutions through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We would like to partner with you in the different peace and cohesion initiatives, including the Uwiano and the Amani Conference,” Bishop Omae said.
The NCCK delegation was led by its Chairperson Rev. Dr. Elias Otieno Agola and General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui.
The commission also announced plans to launch a peace pledge during the upcoming Amani Conference, where political leaders will be invited to publicly commit to peaceful campaigns and credible elections ahead of the 2027 General Election.