Kakamega is among eight Counties that have been put on the spot as potential hotspots for hate speech by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC). Speaking to the press in Nairobi, the Commission’s secretary Mr. Hassan Mohamed said monitoring has been increased in the hotspot Counties which have been pointed out by NCIC. The Counties are Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Kilifi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Baringo and Nakuru.
He said the security officers will be more equipped to enhance monitoring of hate speech and incitement, “We have about 110 audio recorders and 8 camcorders to be issued in those Counties so that monitoring can be enhanced in those areas,” he said, “We’re not saying that other parts of the country don’t require monitoring, we had already issued equipment to those areas, before the 2017 general elections, but we have mapped out these areas where lots of activities are going on.”
NCIC noted that there is an emerging trend of heightened political activities and public utterances which can cause tensions and conflicts. The Commission affirmed that freedom of speech doesn’t extend to incitement or violence and hate speech. Kenyans have also been urged to focus on activities that enhance cohesion, peaceful co-existence, and the country’s prosperity.