- NCIC says the MP made remarks whose context the commission says appeared to incite Kenyans against members of a certain community
- NCIC acting secretary and CEO Harrison Kariuki asked the lawmaker to appear before the commission on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
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The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned Embakasi North MP James Gakuya to appear before it on Thursday for questioning over remarks he allegedly uttered that border on incitement.
The commission says the legislator made the remarks on unspecified date and time; words whose context the commission says appeared to incite Kenyans against members of a certain community by allegedly labeling them “outsiders” who should not buy properties in Nairobi.
“Words which are likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination [and] affect harmonious coexistence between different ethnic groups in Kenya, contrary to Section 62(1) (a) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act,” the commission said.
In a letter dated August 26, 2024, and addressed to the MP, NCIC acting secretary and CEO Harrison Kariuki asked the lawmaker to appear before the commission on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
“Take notice that you are hereby required to appear at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission offices within Britam Towers Upper Hill 18th Floor on Thursday September 5, 2024 at 11 am so as to assist the commission with aforementioned ongoing investigations,” Kariuki said.
“Failure to appear in person at the aforementioned place, date and time, is an offence as provided under Section 63(c) as read with Section 63(e) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act,” he added.
According to the commission, Gakuya made the alleged offending remarks in his native language.
Kariuki alleged that the MP went further and accused the government of targeting people from his community during the demolition of structures on riparian land around Gikomba market.
“It’s very disturbing electing a government which later turns against us demolishing our apartments in broad daylight. The buildings are near seasonal rivers unlike in Mombasa where buildings are built along the ocean,” NCIC alleges in its letter to Gakuya.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is established by an Act of Parliament - the National Cohesion and Integration Act No. 12 of 2008.
The commission is mandated to promote national unity and harmony by promoting peaceful relations among communities, particularly by guarding against negative ethnicity, racism and religious intolerance.
The scope of the commission's mandate is provided under Section 25 of the Act.
“Pursuant to the above-mentioned mandate, the commission is investigating utterances you made in Kikuyu language,” NCI told Gakuya in their letter.