NGO council seeks tough action over hate speech

The National Council of NGOs has called for tough action against politicians propagating hate speech and tribal animosity in the country.

The council’s national executive director, Mr Stephen Cheboi, also asked leaders to preach peace to avoid driving the country towards violence.

“It is highly regrettable that some of our political leaders in the recent past have engaged themselves in hate speeches without realising that this is indeed a dangerous path for the country,” he said on Wednesday.

“Drastic (action) should be taken against any person or leader in Kenya engaging in any kind of hate speech,” added Mr Cheboi, in a statement to newsrooms.

He asked political leaders to avoid engaging in utterances likely to cause hate among communities in the country during public meetings.

POLICE STATEMENT

Several leaders have been cited for hate speech and charged in court while others have recorded statements with the police.

They include Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Nairobi ODM chairman George Aladwa, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and political commentator Mutahi Ngunyi, among others.

“We call on Kenyans to always live in peace and harmony among themselves and to not cheer political leaders who engage in hate speeches,” added Mr Cheboi.

He said NGOs in the country would continue to be peace ambassadors and work towards promoting harmony among Kenyan communities.