Members of Parliament have raised concern over increasing cases of ethinic profiling . [PBC]
Members of Parliament have raised concern over increasing cases of ethnic profiling and inflammatory political rhetoric.
The lawmakers warn that divisive statements by political leaders could erode national unity and jeopardise peaceful preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The concerns dominated proceedings in the National Assembly, with lawmakers from both the Kenya Kwanza and Opposition sides making a rare bipartisan appeal for leaders to refrain from hate speech and for enforcement agencies to firmly apply existing laws against incitement.
Lamu East MP Ruweida Mohamed sought an explanation from the National Assembly's Select Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity on measures being taken to address inflammatory remarks allegedly made by politicians during public rallies.
Mohamed questioned whether the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) was doing enough to monitor political gatherings, document cases of incitement and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to hold offenders accountable.
She also expressed concern that some leaders had begun encouraging communities to reject fellow Kenyans perceived as outsiders despite having lived peacefully in those areas for generations.
Using Lamu County as an example, the legislator said the county has for decades demonstrated peaceful coexistence among diverse communities and should remain a model of national integration.