Ruto allies beat drums of war as NCIC sits on the fence

The ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar is facing intense criticism for what many describe as hate mongering and tribal incitement.

His recent remarks targeting a specific community, delivered in the presence of President William Ruto have sparked widespread outrage, painting him as a figure willing to stoke division to curry favour with his political master

On Monday, former President Uhuru Kenyatta condemned leaders within the government making ethnically divisive statements. Addressing Jubilee Party delegates, Uhuru warned that such rhetoric risks inciting violence similar to the 2007/2008 post-election crisis.

He particularly criticised the profiling of the Kikuyu community and urged President Ruto to tackle the growing political tension exacerbated by high taxation and ethnic targeting.

“We have seen some people standing before their leaders and shamelessly targeting a community while their leader just sits there and does not stop such rhetoric,” he said in apparent reference to Omar.

Uhuru drew parallels with past conflicts, cautioning that unchecked divisive politics could plunge the nation into instability. “The tribal animosity witnessed in 2007 started in this manner, and I am putting the security apparatus of this nation on notice not to entertain this kind of politics. We need to sell our agenda and manifesto to the people, not conflict."

Chief Justice Martha Koome has also raised concerns about escalating ethnic divisions, noting that the country is becoming increasingly tense as the 2027 general elections approach. Speaking last week, she stressed that Kenya’s diversity should unite rather than divide citizens.

“Our diversity should never become a source of exclusion or a source of division. The commission's mandate remains as vital today as it was at its inception,” Koome said, referring to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).

She highlighted global challenges of polarisation, intolerance, misinformation, and identity-based tensions, questioning why such issues persist despite Kenya’s progressive constitution and institutions like the NCIC.

The NCIC itself has issued stern warnings to political leaders and social media users against hate speech and ethnic incitement. The commission, without mentioning Omar by name, vowed to take legal action against violators, reminding Kenyans that “Democracy demands tolerance, respect for diversity of opinion, adherence to constitutional principles, and fidelity to the rule of law.”

It warned that intimidation, weaponising ethnicity, and incitement place democracy in peril.

However, political analysts remain sceptical about the NCIC’s effectiveness. Many view it as a state-appointed body lacking genuine independence, limiting its ability to act impartially.

Bishop Angel Marasua of Gospel Light Ministries said that the commission suffers from insufficient political goodwill. “Its commissioners are appointed based on political and ethnic considerations,” he noted.

The bishop urged the NCIC to prioritise civic education and promote peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.

Omar, a former vocal advocate for civil rights and currently an East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP, has come under heavy scrutiny for his remarks. During an event where President Ruto issued title deeds, Omar accused certain individuals—implied to be from the Kikuyu community—of grabbing land belonging to Coast residents, without presenting concrete evidence.

He further claimed that former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Uhuru, and their supporters “belonged to jail”. Though Omar later claimed that his statements were not intended to promote division, hostility, or animosity, the damage was done.

The comments have drawn condemnation from both government and opposition figures, who labelled them as incitement. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also accused President Ruto of failing to restrain his allies from ethnically targeting the Kikuyu community.

Other senior leaders accused of fanning ethnic tensions include Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, and Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. MPs such as Junet Mohammed (Suna East), Peter Kaluma (Homa Bay Town), and William Kamket (Tiaty) have also been criticised for divisive rhetoric.

On Thursday, following Omar’s remarks, Senate Kingi weighed in on historical land issues. He claimed that after independence in 1963, Mzee Kenyatta focused land redistribution on the White Highlands, settling primarily one community while neglecting the Coast region.

“The historical land injustice is only being addressed by President Ruto,” Kingi asserted, framing current efforts as corrective justice.

Last week, Murkomen, responding to national transport protests over fuel price hikes, suggested the demonstrations were ethnically motivated rather than purely economic. He claimed matatu owners, many from the Kikuyu community, did not protest during President Kenyatta’s administration but now targeted Ruto because he is Kalenjin.

“There must be a certain level of profiling that is applied to Ruto that does not apply to Uhuru,” he said, sparking further debate.

His Treasury counterpart also ignited controversy on Friday by calling for unity among regions outside traditional power centres (Mt Kenya and Rift Valley) to produce the president in 2032.

“It cannot be that 65 years after independence there are only two communities which have produced Presidents of this country—Kikuyus and Kalenjins,” Mbadi declared. “We must allow other communities. We are 42 communities in this country, and each one of us has the capacity, competence and ability to lead.”

Critics argue that Mbadi’s statements risk reducing presidential contests to ethnic arithmetic rather than focusing on competence, integrity, and vision.

Similarly, in February last year, Junet accused the Mt Kenya region of practising politics of exclusivity and entitlement against the Luo community. He cited past incidents like bodies found in River Yala and the Shakahola deaths, questioning selective outrage.

Speaker Wetangula, whose office requires political neutrality, recently urged the Kalenjin community in Trans Nzoia to defend President Ruto as “their son.” Speaking in Swahili, he described them as the “first and last line of defense” for the President, drawing sharp criticism for ethnic mobilisation.

Also accused of a sharp tongue is Kamket for seemingly threatening to extend Ruto’s term beyond constitutional limits, referencing Baringo County’s history of long-serving leaders. “If they joke, we can tell you to extend past the two terms,” he said at an event attended by the President.

Meanwhile, Gachagua was also been labelled a tribal lord for rallying the Kikuyu community against the Kenya Kwanza government. While addressing Kikuyus in the US, he described political collaborators from the community as the “greatest enemies”, accusing them of working with Ruto to undermine regional interests, including through business attacks and arrests of young people.

As the country approaches the next year elections, these incidents highlight the dangerous resurgence of ethnic politics.

Leaders across the political divide must prioritise national unity, issue-based campaigns, and economic grievances over tribal mobilisation. Institutions like the NCIC, judiciary, and civil society have a crucial role in enforcing accountability. Without deliberate efforts to foster cohesion, Kenya risks repeating past mistakes at the expense of its democratic progress and development aspirations.