Parliament raises alarm over ethnic profiling ahead of 2027 polls

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Members of Parliament have warned against rising ethnic profiling and inflammatory political rhetoric, cautioning that divisive utterances could undermine national cohesion and threaten peaceful preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The concern dominated proceedings in the National Assembly after Lamu East MP Ruweida Mohamed sought a statement from the Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on measures being taken against political leaders accused of making inflammatory remarks at public rallies.

Presiding over the House, Speaker Wetang’ula urged politicians to lower political temperatures, saying Kenya's diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division.

“As we head towards the elections, let us all try, not only in this House but also outside it, to lower our political temperatures. Bellicose statements and unhelpful rhetoric cannot help this country,” he said.

The Speaker reminded lawmakers that Kenya has a long history of electing leaders based on merit rather than ethnicity, citing former legislators from minority communities who were overwhelmingly elected by constituents from different ethnic backgrounds.

He said political competition should never be allowed to inflame ethnic tensions.

The debate was prompted by concerns raised by Ruweida Mohamed, who said some politicians had begun making statements encouraging residents to reject individuals perceived as outsiders despite having lived peacefully within those communities for generations.

She questioned the effectiveness of existing laws in dealing with hate speech and sought an explanation on measures taken by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to monitor political rallies, document incidents of incitement and work with other agencies to enforce the law.

Mohamed also cited Lamu County as an example of peaceful coexistence among different communities, arguing that leadership should remain open to all Kenyans regardless of ethnic background.

North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood told the House that he had recently become a victim of ethnic profiling after a political leader allegedly urged voters not to elect him because of his Indian descent.

 “I have been elected four times. I was born there. My mother was born there in 1937 and attended Meru Primary School,” stated Rahim Dawood.

Dawood warned that such rhetoric undermines every Kenyan's constitutional right to seek elective office anywhere in the country, while calling for stronger enforcement against hate speech.

Eldas MP Adan Keynan also condemned what he described as growing ethnic profiling, urging authorities to apply the law equally regardless of political affiliation.

Keynan said, “Modern-day Kenya has no place for tribalists, regionalists and individuals who seek to divide our people.”

Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie echoed the sentiments, saying citizenship alone qualifies any Kenyan to contest elective office anywhere in the country.

Mombasa Woman Representative Zamzam Mohammed also defended Kenya's multicultural identity, insisting that no Kenyan should be treated as an outsider because of their ethnic background.

 “This Kenya belongs to all of us,” said Zamzam Mohammed.

Jomvu MP Bady Twalib called for an end to ethnic politics, urging voters to judge leaders based on their development record rather than their community of origin.

Lawmakers from both the Kenya Kwanza and opposition benches expressed rare bipartisan unity in condemning tribal politics, calling on the NCIC, police and other investigative agencies to firmly enforce laws against hate speech as political activity ahead of the 2027 General Election intensifies.