The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has proposed that all 2022 political aspirants eying political seats should acquire a social cohesion certificate.
NCIC Commissioner Dorcas Kegode on Tuesday, July 27, said this is the only way the commission will tame any form of violence before, during and after the August 2022 General Election.
Speaking during a meeting of local security actors on hate speech, ethnic-based political violence, and peaceful coexistence in Mombasa, Kegode further urged all organs tasked with clearing politicians to ensure all those with questionable integrity are barred from contesting.
“We urge the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and all other agencies tasked with clearing politicians to contest to ensure they restrict them from contesting should they have questionable integrity,” she said.
In June 2021, NCIC proposed that 2022 political aspirants who will be found guilty of inciting Kenyans to violence ahead of the General Election will not be allowed to travel outside the country.
“If we do not give them visas, then they will behave. More so, those who incite violence should not be allowed to go to Europe or North America,” NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia said.
Kobia said the cohesion commission is in talks with about 15 ambassadors over the matter.
He said many cases of incitement are recorded during the campaign period where leaders use their vernacular language when they want to make statements that may provoke hostility.
In January, the cohesion commission unveiled a plan to curb hate speech and incitement ahead of the BBI referendum and 2022 election campaigns.
It is reported that Kenya has recorded increased cases of hate speech, incitement, and political intolerance, and it is projected that the menace could more than double ahead of the next General Election if the relevant departments will not step up intervention measures in advance.
