Resolutions between the communities living along the Garissa and Wajir border

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Walk of Hope foundation participates in a peace walk dubbed “the Walk of Hope”. Themed, Peace for Kenya; Peace for the World, the initiative aims at rallying Kenyans to embrace tolerance, understanding and acceptance of diversity as we approach the 2017 General Elections.

The caravan was officially flagged off on 13th August 2016 at the Uhuru Park Grounds by the NCIC Chairperson Hon. Francis Ole Kaparo. Speaking at the ceremony, Hon. Kaparo said that peace building required a multi-sectoral approach with everyone’s participation.

He urged the communities, political leaders, government agencies and the civil society organizations to join in the peace campaigns. He lauded the initiative and reiterated his support to it, noting that it was a bold move by young Kenyans to preach about peace and cohesion. He urged those participating in the walk to fearlessly spread the peace messages across the country. “Go tell the people the value of peace and persuade them to appreciate and love one another,” said Kaparo.

The walk is expected to run through to 30th October 2016, moving from Nairobi, past Central Kenya, Upper Eastern through to Mandera County.

“We must socialise hate mongers with the law, and we are not stopping anytime soon; nobody will be spared in the fight against hate speech, as the country prepares for the 2017 General Elections.” This was the message from the NCIC Chairperson, Hon. Francis Ole Kaparo, while addressing the media after hosting the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Keriako Tobiko and the Director of Criminal Investigations, Mr. Ndegwa Muhoro, at his NCIC office. The three sectoral heads were meeting, consequent to having appeared before the Joint Committee of Parliament on Cohesion and Equal Opportunity, to brainstorm on the next steps of action in handling hate speech cases in Kenya.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tobiko noted that politicians were the greatest threat in regard to hate speech and incitement, adding that 90 % of hate speech cases currently in the Courts involved politicians. On his part, DCI’s Mr. Muhoro cautioned politicians who spew hate speech, saying the country will not be pulled into conflict by people advancing their own political interests. He reiterated that culpable individuals from either the political divide will suffer the same fate.

The three heads agreed on the need for the three institutions jointly plan for a major stakeholders forum to discuss the way forward in handling hate speech before reporting back to Parliament in two weeks.

The Commission continues to play an instrumental role in the fight against hate speech and incitement to violence. In recognition of its mandate, the Commission was invited to participate in a public forum organised by the Leadership Report on Saturday 10th September, 2016 at Baba Dogo Catholic Church.

The event dubbed “Importance of Governance towards bringing about Cohesion in our Country” brought together community members, religious leaders and politicians from Baba Dogo, Nairobi.

Some of the issues that were identified included the need for the Commission to increase its efforts for social media monitoring and focus more on preventive measures and not only on reactive measures of curbing hate speech and incitement by politicians.