The Francis Ole Kaparo-led National Cohesion and Integration Commission sparked a bitter backlash from Kenyans after publication of a list of 273 individuals being investigated for hate speech. The outcry stems from the fact that popular figures named in the list are all known NASA political party supporters. Moses Kuria, the de facto hate speech poster boy, was conspicuously missing from the list.
Twitter users used the hashtag #PartisanNCIC to attack Ole Kaparo, and by extension the commission. Here is part of the list:
When probed on why the Gatundu South legislator is not yet behind bars, Ole Kaparo said that he is not aware if Kuria made any remarks bordering on hate speech as he does not understand Kikuyu language. Social media users were quick to note that NCIC has several employees from the Kikuyu ethnicity that could easily translate words Moses Kuria used.
Some popular names on the list include newly elected Embakasi South MP Babu Owino, economist and NASA strategist David Ndii, social justice blogger Cyprian Nyakundi and NASA activist Dikembe Disembe.
Reacting to the news, David Ndii said that he does not have a Facebook account. His case for incitement states that he made hateful comments on Facebook posts.
This comes hot on the heels of the public outcry that ensued after Moses Kuria posted inflammatory remarks on his Facebook page. Kuria is also seen and heard on a widely circulated video making vile remarks against Raila Odinga and the Luo community he hails from.
Serious questions over Kaparo’s ability to lead NCIC also came up as social media users attacked his capability to run the commission in a transparent manner given his age and loyalty to President Uhuru, who recently renewed his tenure. Lawyer Apollo Mboya argued that Kaparo is in office illegaly noting that the extension of his tenure contravened legal provisions on the matter.
The Commissioners @NCIC_Kenya are in office illegally, the renewal of term having been done contra-statute without parliamentary approval pic.twitter.com/3tlxyQRmFj
— Apollo Mboya, HSC (@MboyaApollo) September 8, 2017
Here are some reactions from social media users:
Just disband the NCIC. Ole Kaparo no idea whats his job description. Moses Kuria should be in jail. Double standards #PartisanNCIC
— Brian (@FullMentalDevil) September 9, 2017
Ole Kaparo has been there since i began reading "Hallo children" These are the people who are against change,#PartisanNCIC
— Erick odhiambo (@colielo1) September 8, 2017
https://twitter.com/RobertSyundu/status/906150291480956932
https://twitter.com/otiendeamo/status/906425565116321792
Ole Kaparo is one of the reasons i would vote anything but Jubilee, i mean, dude needs to be home shaving grandkids #PartisanNCIC
— Duchess of Kakamega🇰🇪 (@silverIfedha) September 9, 2017
#PartisanNCIC allows some to "explain themselves". Others get dragged to court with no statements and paid witnesses. @C_NyaKundiH
— D I K E M B E (@Disembe) September 8, 2017
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