By Clement Kamau
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has been accused of sleeping on the job amid as cases of hate speech and incitement by politicians continue to increase.
Limuru MP Peter Mwathi said that the Samuel Kobia led-agency is letting Kenyans down by failing in its role to promote harmony and peaceful coexistence.
The MP accused NCIC of seeming aloof and ignorant of the ongoing polarisation of the nation by a section of politicians who are busy sowing seeds of discord, disharmony, disrespect, and hate.
“The commission’s core duty is also to eliminate all forms of ethnic and racial discrimination by advising the government to address any grey areas in the political arena. It also should enhance tolerance, restraints, understanding, and acceptance of ethnic diversity,” Mwathi said.
The legislator said that the current volatile political temperatures in the country bordering on hate speech and tribalism should be put under control by the NCIC which is constitutionally mandated to do the same.
Speaking at Ngurubi Secondary School in Limuru Constituency during relief food distribution, Mwathi urged the commission to consider embarking on civic education.
“Most of us are crossing the border in the name of freedom of speech and insulting our mothers and it’s therefore important for Kaparo to educate us,” he said.
The Limuru MP called on the security apparatus in the country to take stern action on politicians who are disrespecting the Presidency and the First Family.
Mwathi’s comments come as women groups in Kiambu County, led by Woman Rep Gathoni Wamuchomba, continued to unite in outrage over unsavory comments attributed to KANU MP Johanna Ng’eno and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi that demeaned members of the First Family.
Demonstrations were held in Wangige, Kiambu town, Ruiru, Juja, Ruaka and Gatundu town with the visibly agitated protestors demanding a public apology from the MPs.
In Kiambu town, they blocked roads as they marched in the market chanting pro-Uhuru slogans, saying that they would no longer keep quiet as politicians continued to disrespect the President and the First Family.
Female members of the Kiambu County Assembly joined the fray and condemned what they called irresponsible utterances by the duo which borders on bigotry.
Political activists were also not left behind with Ann Wanjiku, saying that involving Mama Ngina in politics was very insensitive, since it was an indicator of disrespect to women in the country.
“This is not about one woman who was mentioned, it shows the two leaders have no regard to women and we ask the Inspector-General Hillary Mutyambai to act swiftly on them and any other person bent on peddling tribal animosity,” she said.
Nominated MCA Nduta Muongi asked the government to take stern action on the two MPs, noting that such reckless utterances should not go unpunished.
