NCIC to publish banned words that constitute coded hate speech, Chair Kobia says

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is set to publish a list of banned words considered to fuel up ethnic tensions ahead of the August polls.

This is according to NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia who says that the exercise will mitigate incidents in which local politicians and Kenyans in general carelessly use the terms without considering their overarching effect on the country's political atmosphere.

“We are going to publish a list of Kiswahili, English and vernacular words that constitute coded hate speech,” Kobia said during a presser in Nairobi on Friday.

“This will go a long way in containing hate speech and ensuring that our nation is secure during the electioneering period.”

Kobia likewise stated that NCIC will continue to monitor radio, TV and social media channels, while working closely with relevant stakeholders in the law enforcement sector, to streamline the curbing of any hate speech and possible political violence in the country.

He, however, highlighted that NCIC needs high-end media monitoring equipment to assist in the aforementioned capacity but clarified that the Commission will make do with its current assets and that of other relevant stakeholders in the meantime.

“We are also in talks with the Inter-religious Council of Kenya with whom we will meet next week to craft peace messages that will be read out in churches, mosques and temples to make sure the whole country receives messages of peace on a regular basis,’’ said Kobia.

“NCIC will update Kenyans on the state of peace and political decency as we move to the August 9 elections.”

Kobia also clarified that ODM leader Raila Odinga still has a case to answer with the Commission over ‘madoadoa’ remarks he made in Wajir County recently, citing that the former premier had acknowledged summons and promised to present himself to the Commission once he returns from his trip to the U.K.