The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned the Director of Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), a non-governmental organisation based in Mombasa, Khelef Khalifa.
NCIC summoned Khelef Khalifa over utterances deemed to be bordering ethnic contempt, hate speech, and discrimination.
Khelef has been ordered to appear before the Commission on Monday, 9th December 2024.
“Take notice that you are hereby required to appear at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission offices within Britam Towers Upper Hill 18th Floor on Monday, 9th December 2024 at 10:00am so as to assist the Commission with aforementioned ongoing investigations,” NCIC said in a statement.
“Whereas that 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.”
Why Khelef Khalifa Was Summoned
In a statement posted by NCIC they allege that Khelef made utterances that complexities surrounding Lamu’s historical injustices and land issues are deeply rooted in Kenya’s past.
He traced the origins of the crisis back to the era of Jomo Kenyatta, accusing the government of orchestrating a gradual settlement of Kikuyu communities in Mpeketoni. This, he said, laid the groundwork for disputes that have escalated over subsequent administrations.
“The problems in Lamu didn’t start yesterday,” Khelef stated. “They began when Jomo Kenyatta initiated the resettlement of Kikuyus, with silence from the local community as small encroachments continued. Under Moi, the process stalled temporarily but picked up pace during Kibaki’s tenure and intensified under Uhuru Kenyatta.”
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He went on to criticize land allocation practices, claiming that outsiders from places like Kirinyaga would clear forests in Lamu, obtain title deeds in Nairobi, and bypass local county governments. “These actions were deliberate and unlawful,” he said.
He accused political leaders of sidelining Lamu’s interests during a recent visit by President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to Mpeketoni.
“I watched the event on television, and 90% of the crowd was Kikuyu. When Gachagua stood to speak, he addressed them in Kikuyu, in a region that is the heart of Islam and Swahili culture. This is an affront to the identity of the people of Lamu,” he said.
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Khelef Utterances
The leader further criticized the nomination of a Kikuyu representative to the county assembly, alleging that names initially submitted were altered in Nairobi.
“When the nomination papers reached IEBC, all the names we had submitted were removed and replaced with new Kikuyu nominees. This is blatant disregard for the will of the people of Lamu,” he asserted.
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Drawing parallels with Northern Kenya, Khelef praised the Somali community for ensuring that only local representatives stand for leadership positions.
Additionally, Khelef Khalifa urged Lamu residents to adopt a similar stance, stating, “We must stand firm and declare openly that no Kikuyu should represent us. If they want to contest, let them go back to their regions.”
He also highlighted longstanding grievances over land allocation, alleging that some Kikuyus had acquired land illegally, bypassing local authorities. He accused the government of facilitating this process, further disenfranchising the local population.
NCIC stated that words which are likely to incite feelings of contempt, hatred, hostility, violence or discrimination, affect harmonious coexistence between different ethnic communities and religious affiliations in Kenya, contrary to Section 13(1) (a) and Section 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
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