On 15^th June 2022, Mkenya Daima Initiative participated in the launch of Kenya’s National Action Plan Against Hate Speech at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi. The Action Plan, which was developed by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), will provide a platform for synergy building among stakeholders who prevent and counter hate speech while at the same time guiding the implementation of hate speech management in Kenya.

The Action Plan was officially unveiled by the Chief Justice Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome in presence of NCIC Commissioners led by the Chair of NCIC Rev. (Dr.) Samuel Kobia and the CEO Dr. Skitter Ocharo; Mr. Wilson Njenga – Secretary of Interior in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; Ms. Alice Nderitu (virtually) – Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide among other stakeholders. Mkenya Daima Initiative was represented by the Steering Committee, led by the Chairperson Dr. Vimal Shah; Mr. Suba Churchill – Coordinator, National Civil Society Congress; Mr. Daniel Juma – Executive Director, Globe Peace Foundation; and Ms. Martha Cheruto – KEPSA Deputy CEO – Foundation.

In her remarks, Chief Justice Koome urged leaders to shun using inflammatory, discriminatory and divisive remarks, especially during the electioneering period. “We in leadership positions must always remember that we are privileged to be in these positions. It is not a right. We have the obligation and tremendous opportunity to influence many people’s lives positively,” Said Hon. Koome.

The Action Plan’s priorities for the short-term include monitoring and analysing hate speech; engaging and supporting victims of hate speech; convening relevant actors; engaging new and traditional media; research and technology; advocacy and leveraging on partnerships. In the long-term, the Action Plan will prioritise addressing the root causes, drivers and actors of hate speech; and use education as a tool for addressing and countering hate speech.

Rev. (Dr.) Kobia noted that so far, the Commission has achieved many milestones through many partnerships including the UWIANO Platform for Peace Messaging Hub, where peace messages and narratives that will counter hate speech and incitement will be identified and disseminated through various online and offline media to address the potential of violence. “On Social media monitoring, through the support of the United Nations and in collaboration with a social media consortium, NCIC will monitor and analyse social media platforms for mis/disinformation, hate speech and incitement that could trigger election violence,” He said. He also lauded the Mkenya Daima Initiative while mentioning that the Commission is closely working with the Initiative on peace-building.

The Commission, whose mandate is to facilitate and promote equality of opportunity, good relations, harmony and peaceful co-existence, is one of the stakeholders that the Mkenya Daima Initiative is working with to pursue a common goal of inspiring Kenyans towards peaceful elections and prosperity thereafter.