The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has urged Kenyan churches to take action against politicians who use worship services to spread hate speech and messages that could fuel division ahead of the 2027 General Election.
NCIC Chairperson Bishop Kepha Nyamweya Omae said church leaders have the authority to stop politicians from delivering inflammatory messages during services.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 26, Omae called on religious leaders not to be intimidated by politicians, stressing that churches have a responsibility to protect their platforms from messages that could threaten national cohesion.
He said church officials should be prepared to switch off a politician’s microphone if the speaker crosses the line into hate speech or incitement.
Omae noted that there have been cases where technical teams were forced to cut a politician’s microphone after the speaker began making remarks considered inappropriate, allowing church leaders to proceed with the service.
The NCIC chairperson said political leaders should not be allowed to take advantage of church gatherings to push divisive narratives under the guise of attending worship services.
Warning extends to social media
Omae also warned Kenyans against spreading inflammatory content on social media, saying online platforms are not exempt from laws governing hate speech.
He said people should not assume that posting offensive or inflammatory messages online shields them from accountability.
The commission is engaging religious leaders and social organisations to address hate speech, misinformation, disinformation, propaganda and other forms of inflammatory communication ahead of the 2027 polls.
Omae warned that individuals responsible for spreading such content could be identified and investigated for possible prosecution.
Politicians told to control their language
The NCIC chairperson further called on politicians to be careful with their public statements, warning that reckless remarks could fuel hatred and division.
He urged political leaders to think carefully before speaking, particularly as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
The warning comes as churches continue to attract politicians seeking to address large congregations and use religious gatherings to connect with voters.
With the election approaching, religious leaders are now being encouraged to play a more active role in preventing their platforms from being used to spread hate speech and incitement.
The NCIC’s message is clear: politicians are welcome in churches, but they must respect the law and avoid turning places of worship into platforms for political messages that could divide Kenyans.