We Won’t Tolerate Incitement During Next Year’s Election, CS Matiang’i

The government won’t switch off the internet or block social media sites during next year’s election to avert incitement to civil unrest, but it will come for you should you choose to use the internet to incite Kenyans.

Speaking during the official launch of the National Cohesion and Integrations Commissions (NCIC) Strategic Plan 2020-2025 at the Bomas of Kenya, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said that the government will not interfere with the freedoms of its people during the election like in other countries.

“This is a confident government, so we are not going to harass people or do those kinds of things that interfere with the freedoms of the people during the election. We will live and act according to the law. We will ensure we arrange a good meeting between those who break the law and the law,” said CS Matiangi.

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The CS further added that they will be very ruthless with those who interfere with other people’s freedom stating that the pressure or complaints from anybody will limit them from protecting Kenya.

Matiang’i said that the security agencies will do their part ahead of the general elections.

“I want to assure the country that we will do our part and role. This country is a democracy by choice. It was not imposed on us so we will uphold individual and collective freedoms including freedom of speech,” he said.

The NCIC had also raised concerns over increased rates of incitement from different groups coupled with political intolerance and hate speech last month and especially the escalating ethnic violence that has been going on in Marsabit, Turkana, and West Pokot counties.

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With the statistics showing that most hate speeches occur during campaigns, the commission had assured to put in place a strategy to tame this unconstitutional act that has led to blood-shedding as was witnessed during the 2017/2018 elections.