The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku and Nominated Member of Parliament Joseph Wainaina Iraya over alleged inflammatory remarks made during separate public gatherings.
The two leaders have been directed to appear before the commission’s investigative team on September 17, 2026, as the NCIC investigates statements it says could undermine national cohesion and promote ethnic or political intolerance.
Governor Lenku is required to appear at the commission’s headquarters at Britam Towers, 17th Floor, Upper Hill, Nairobi, at 2pm. The summons, dated September 1, 2026, was signed by NCIC Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Dr Daniel Mutegi Giti.
The investigation concerns remarks allegedly made by Lenku at Ewuaso Oonkidong’i in Kajiado West Constituency on August 22, 2026.
The commission cited Sections 27, 29 and 63C as read with Section 63E of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which provides the legal framework for addressing issues including negative ethnicity and hate speech.
According to the summons, Lenku made remarks calling for political parties to respect what he described as the interests of the Maasai community when making nominations for political positions in Kajiado and Narok.
“Juzi DCP walitangaza hawatasimamisha kabila wengine kushidana na wamaasai kwa nafasi za wamaasai kajiado na Narok, tunapongeza DCP kwa hiyo,” Lenku was quoted as saying.
The governor allegedly went on to warn political parties against nominating non Maasai candidates for positions considered to belong to the community.
“Going forward, kwenda mbele chama itatuekea nomination ambayo sio ya watu wetu ni adui wetu, ni adui wetu,” the statement quoted him as saying.
Lenku was also cited as saying the Maasai community had suffered discrimination for a long time and should take its place in leadership.
“Maasai achukue nafasi yake uongozi wao kwa sababu kama community tumedhulumiwa ya kutosha na tumesema enough is enough,” he said, according to the summons.
The governor was further quoted as urging political parties to consider the demands of residents in Kajiado and Narok, warning that those who failed to do so could face difficulties.
The NCIC has also summoned Iraya over remarks allegedly made during a public address to residents of Ngeria in Kapsaret, Uasin Gishu County, on August 29, 2026.
The lawmaker is required to appear before the commission at 10am on September 17, according to a summons dated August 31, 2026.
The commission is investigating Iraya under the same provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act cited in Lenku’s case.
In the remarks cited by the NCIC, Iraya allegedly called on members of the Kikuyu community to oppose individuals who did not support President William Ruto or the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“Raudi hii mwenye hataki kupea sisi kura hapa, hataki William Ruto hapa atangulie kwenda,” Iraya was quoted as saying.
He allegedly went further to make a reference to death while discussing the possibility of Ruto failing to win the election.
“Na sababu William atapita kitu itafanya William asipite pengine ni kifo na tunamwombea mungu asichukue yeye,” he said, according to the commission’s summons.
Iraya also allegedly called on residents who did not support Ruto and UDA to leave before voting takes place.
“Msinyamaze mseme nyinyi wenyewe wenye hawataki maneno ya William Ruto hapa hawataki chama yetu ya UDA watangulie kwenda,” he was quoted as saying.
Both summonses contain similar penal notices warning the two leaders of possible legal action if they fail to appear before the commission.
“TAKE NOTICE that failure to appear in person at the aforementioned place, date, and time, will lead to warrants of arrest being issued for your arrest and production before the Commission and/or the institution of criminal and/or contempt proceedings against you,” the notices state.
The cases come as the NCIC continues its mandate to promote peaceful relations among Kenya’s communities and address utterances that could contribute to ethnic hostility, political intolerance or hate speech.
The commission has not indicated in the documents that either leader has been found guilty of an offence. The summonses are part of ongoing investigations into the alleged remarks.
The NCIC has directed both Lenku and Iraya to personally appear before its investigative team on September 17.