Editor's Review

Pursuant to Section 29 of the NCI Act, summons issued by the Commission must be obeyed as if they were issued by the court.


Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) for his utterances during Raila Odinga's meeting at Chungwa House.

Imwatok is also the Makongeni MCA. He was elected on an ODM ticket.

The MCA was summoned for saying:

"Azimio eee Azimio aaa, wamama tuungane tumalize kazi, wababa tuungane tumalize kazi, vijana tuungane tumalize kazi, Azimio eee Azimio aaa."

"Lazima tumalize kazi ya ikulu na tunaongoja baada ya hapa Baba atwaambie kama ni hiyo Sunday tutoke uko Jacaranda , kama tanatembea Jogoo Road, tuingie town, tupande processional way, gate A."

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok. PHOTO | COURTESY

He is required to appear before the commission on Tuesday, February 7 to record a statement.

NCIC CEO Skitter Ocharo said the words were calculated to be inciting, threatening, abusive and insulting contrary to Section 13(1) (a) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.

“Take notice that you are hereby to appear before the National and Integration Committee at the offices at Britan Towers on February 7, at 11 am to assist the commission with aforementioned ongoing investigations,” reads the letter dated January 30.

Imwatok's summon comes a day after a Nairobi court dismissed an application by the police that sought to detain Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo for seven days pending investigations in the alleged hate speech case.

Milimani principal magistrate Gilbert Shikwe ruled that the application filed was not based on any legal provision and ordered his release.

Pursuant to Section 29 of the NCI Act, summons issued by the Commission must be obeyed as if they were issued by the court.

Failure to appear in person at the aforementioned place, date and time, is an offence as provided under Section 63(c) as read with Section 63 (e) of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.