IG Douglas Kanja, On Wednesday, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity, and Regional Integration on Wednesday at Bunge Towers.The session, chaired by Hon. Mohamed Said Chute, followed rising concerns over inflammatory statements by public figures and political leaders.
During the engagement, IG Kanja highlighted the NPS’s crucial role in enforcing the National Cohesion and Integration Act, as well as other legal frameworks such as the Computer and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, the Penal Code, and the Public Order Act.
He emphasized that these laws empower the police to investigate, arrest, and support prosecutions for offenses including hate speech, incitement, ethnic profiling, and the dissemination of harmful content online.
IG Kanja reassured the Committee that the NPS is committed to upholding professional and impartial standards in handling cases involving inflammatory utterances.
He stressed that investigations, arrests, and preparation of prosecution files would be conducted in strict accordance with the law, reinforcing accountability and fairness.
He also outlined ongoing collaboration between the NPS, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), and other relevant agencies.This cooperation ensures that complaints are received, evidence is gathered, and cases are effectively prosecuted to maintain public order and national unity.
Accompanying IG Kanja were key senior officers including Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police, Mr. Eliud Lagat, Deputy Director of the DCI, Mr. John Onyango, Principal Assistant to the IG, Mr. Mathew Kutoh, and Director of Corporate Communication, Mr. Muchiri Nyaga, among others.
The Senate session underscored the importance of a coordinated approach in tackling hate speech and incitement, demonstrating the NPS’s dedication to safeguarding Kenya’s stability, unity, and the rule of law while promoting responsible public discourse.