A Baringo man caught on tape spewing what is deemed to be a hateful message that could threaten national cohesion has apologised to Kenyans.
The man identified as Merimet appeared before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on Wednesday to clarify the context of his remarks.
He said he made the remarks in Kabarnet on July 5 where he appeared to incite one community against the other in relation to the mass protests.
“He is to assist with ongoing investigations of a video circulating of him uttering words likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination,” the Commission said on Wednesday.
NCIC said the nature of the remarks could affect the harmonious coexistence between communities contrary to Section 13 (1) (a) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
While issuing summons for his appearance on July 10, the Commission had warned that snubbing the session would amount to an offence.
“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Merimet to appear before the Commission on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 11 am at its offices on the 17th Floor, Britam Tower, Hospital Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi.
“Failure to appear in person at the said place, date and time, is an offence as provided under Section 63 (c) as read with Section 63 (e) of the NCI Act,” the Commission warned.
But in an update on Thursday, NCIC said Merimet honoured the summon and appeared before it on Wednesday, July 17.
“This morning, Merimet has presented himself to the Commission following a summon issued to him earlier. He fully cooperated and has since issued a sincere apology to all Kenyans,” NCIC said.
“In the video message below, he expresses his regret and commits to promoting peace and unity. The NCIC remains dedicated to upholding national unity, fostering equality, and eliminating ethnic discrimination,” the Commission said.
While issuing his apology, the man said he is a resident of Baringo North and admitted to have made the remarks in Kabarnet on July 5, 2024, relating to the nationwide protests.
“Niliona niliongea mpaka nikatereza, mimi naomba msamaha (I spoke and went of course, I’m sorry),” he said.
“Watu wako Kenya hii, nchi ni yao yote…sisi wote tuko kabila moja hakuna mambo ya ukabila Kenya.”
(All those in Kenya this is your country, we are all the same tribe there’s no tribalism)
He said all people regardless of their ethnicity should coexist peacefully.
“So naomba msamaha na siwezi kurudia kitu kama hiyo. Kila mtu yuko huru kutembea Baringo yote, Baringo ni yetu wote watu ya Kenya,” he said.
(So I ask for forgiveness and I won’t repeat something like that. Everyone is at liberty to freely move around Baringo. Baringo belongs to all of us Kenyans)
The man said going forward, he commits to be a peace ambassador and will preach peace wherever he goes.
In a status update on July 11, NCIC said it had received 67 cases out of which 43 are under various stages of investigation.
The Commission said two of the cases are before the court, 13 have been concluded while 13 others were resolved through conciliation in line with the NCI Act 2008.
“In regards to social media platforms, the Commission flagged out 44 cases on discrimination, 24 on incitement, 6 on hate speech, 93 on misinformation, and 68 on disinformation - totalling 268 cases,” Chairperson Samuel Kobia said.
He said the status covers the period between November 2023 to date.