NCIC urges churches to switch off microphones for politicians spreading hate

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged church leaders to take a firm stand against politicians who use worship centres to spread inflammatory and divisive messages.

NCIC Chairman Bishop Kepha Nyamweya Omae told religious leaders that they have the authority to stop politicians from using churches to promote narratives that could fuel hatred and division, including switching off their microphones.

The remarks were made during a day-long consultative forum in Nairobi that brought together the NCIC and leaders from various religious denominations to discuss measures to ease rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The religious leaders agreed to roll out a nationwide anti-hate speech campaign aimed at promoting peaceful elections before, during and after the polls.

“We call upon political leaders to reject the use of goonism. We call upon our sons and daughters to reject recruitment into violence. We commit ourselves as faith leaders to move beyond peace messaging and practical action for peace,” Omae stated.

Politicians known for inflammatory rhetoric and publicly inciting hatred were also put on notice, with religious leaders committing to counter hate speech, misinformation, disinformation and digitally enabled incitement.

“We commit to counter hate speech, misinformation and disinformation and digitally enabled incitement,” Jeremiah Gumo, moderator, IRCK, stated.

The forum also proposed the establishment of a national interfaith election committee to coordinate the implementation of the peace commitments.

“We will establish a national interfaith election committee to coordinate implementation of these commitments,” Gershon Mwakazi, acting director, World Vision, stated.

The meeting further resolved to involve young people and other diverse groups in peace-building initiatives, while media organisations were urged to hold politicians accountable and challenge those promoting divisive and hate-driven politics.

The NCIC and religious leaders said the measures would form part of broader efforts to prevent political intolerance and violence ahead of the 2027 elections.