Four Big Names Face NCIC Over Hate Speech Claims

Two Cabinet Secretaries, a Member of Parliament, and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over allegations of hate speech.

NCIC Commissioner Jerusah Mwaathime revealed that the commission has summoned Health CS Aden Duale, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, and Gachagua to record statements as part of ongoing investigations into remarks each of them made.

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Speaking on Citizen TV on Monday night, Mwaathime said all four leaders are expected to begin appearing before the commission starting next week.

She disclosed that Gachagua’s file had been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), noting that upon assuming her role, she found several pending cases against the former Deputy President at the commission that had, for unclear reasons, stalled before reaching the ODPP. She explained that the delay was largely due to the layered, multi-agency nature of the investigative process required before prosecution decisions can be made.

Mwaathime also confirmed that investigations into Duale’s alleged remarks have been completed, paving the way for his formal summons. She said the commission had reached a stage where it was ready to move forward with the cases against Duale, Ruku, and Kaguchia, typically allowing summoned individuals a 14-day window to respond, with most expected to appear before the commission next week.

She attributed the time taken to issue the summonses to the thorough verification process each hate speech investigation requires, noting that some cases demand extensive digging, including confirming the authenticity of video clips, identifying who recorded and originally shared them, and checking whether the material had been altered in any way.

Addressing perceptions that the commission was acting selectively, Mwaathime explained that Kaguchia’s case moved faster simply because much of the evidence had already been compiled, noting that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had already conducted its own probe and established sufficient grounds for the matter to proceed. She said other cases required additional information from multiple agencies before the commission could act, but assured that developments would become visible starting next week.

Mwaathime emphasized that all summoned leaders are legally obligated to appear before the commission, noting that summonses issued by constitutional and independent commissions like the NCIC carry the same legal weight as those issued by the High Court and must be honored.

She warned that ignoring the summons would result in the issuance of arrest warrants, which would obligate the DCI and police officers to apprehend the individuals concerned and bring them before the commission.

Mwaathime maintained that there must be consequences for leaders who disregard lawful summonses, stressing that the country cannot function if institutions established by law are routinely disregarded, nor can it allow national leaders — who are expected to set an example — to openly defy legal processes.