NCIC probes Kameme FM over controversial voter registration advert

The anti-hate agency is investigating a Kikuyu-language radio station over claims that the broadcaster is fanning ethnic divisions by airing a controversial voter registration advertisement.

National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis Ole Kaparo has said his officers are interpreting and analysing an audio clip of the advert.

“I do not understand Kikuyu, but the audio has been sent to my officers for transcription,” he said, noting that action would be taken if it is found to be inciting people to violence.

The advert is being aired by Kameme FM to whip up Kenyans in the Mount Kenya region to register as voters.

Kameme FM's parent company is Mediamax, which is associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta.

In the 90-second recording, a presenter is heard sneering at the Kikuyu community for taking a back seat and giving the opposition leeway to unseat President Kenyatta in the August polls.

THEIR 'THRONE'

The audio clip further details why the Kikuyu community must come out in large numbers to defend what the presenter refers to as their "throne".

“My people it is bad and it’s worse than before and if we play around we shall lose. In some places you cannot transact any business without producing voters’ card of your national identity card.

"But we have decided to treat the matter lightly so much that you cannot leave your business to register as voter,” the presenter starts off.

Using ancient Kikuyu proverbs and scriptures from the Bible, the presenter warns of dire consequences should the Kikuyu community fail to rise to the occasion.

The presenter accuses his tribesmen of laxity and taking the presidential throne for granted.

Scornful, he compares those who have not registered as voters to a gun without a bullet and a toothless lion.

“If at all you are 18 years of age, in central Kenya and you have not registered as a voter then you are useless,” he says.

SOCIAL MEDIA RAGE

Kenyans on social media vented their displeasure with the audio, accusing the radio station of inciting one community against others and hate-mongering for political reasons.

NTV’s "The Trend" critic Ciru Muriuki was sucked into the discussion for sounding the alarm about the audio on her Facebook page.

“This one I have to speak on, and if I’m called a traitor, so be it. A certain vernacular station is running ads urging its listenership to register as voters en masse in order 'kurangira uthamaki' (defend the kingship). What tribalism garbage is this?” she posted on her official Facebook page.

Hitting back at those who described her as a disgrace to the community, Ms Muriuki said she would not apologise.

Others called for the immediate closure of the radio station.

John Mwangi posted on his Facebook page: “I heard in Kameme FM they are encouraging people to register as voters so as to defend their kingdom. What frustrate me more is the use of Bible in the spread of that stupidity.”

Attempts to reach head of Kameme Radio Gatonye Wa Mbugua for comment were unsuccessful.

“I will call you back,” he responded in a text message.