The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma over remarks he allegedly made during a political gathering ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay. Kaluma has been directed to appear before the commission at Britam Towers, Upper Hill, Nairobi, on Wednesday, August 19, at 10am to assist with investigations into statements he allegedly made on August 15. The summons comes after the Linda Mwananchi political tour of Homa Bay was disrupted by violence, with roads blocked and groups of youths reportedly attacking people and vehicles associated with the opposition campaign. Police have since arrested 37 suspected gang members in connection with the unrest, as investigations into the violence continue.
According to the NCIC, Kaluma made the remarks while addressing a political gathering in Homa Bay on Saturday, a day before the opposition-led rally. Speaking in his local dialect, the MP was quoted by the commission as calling on his supporters to confront people campaigning against President William Ruto’s re-election. “As of today, we are issuing the command that anyone that says one term deal with them. Anyone that has worked with the other side, even if they were a driver and they feel they cannot walk with us, must now disappear,” Kaluma stated, according to the commission. The remarks appeared to be directed at President Ruto’s political opponents, who have adopted the phrase “one term” in reference to calls for the Head of State to serve only one term.
The commission also cited remarks in which Kaluma allegedly instructed his supporters to identify hotels and houses hosting opposition politicians and their supporters. “We are going to inspect all hotels and houses where they had booked, anyone who owns a hotel in Homa Bay must tell us all the guest they have, we must deal with those people and we might deal with the hotel too. I have paid for the fuel you will use to move across Homa Bay and Rodi,” he was quoted as saying.
“This is an ODM stronghold and we insist that Ruto is two-term. If anyone speaks of one-term deal with them,” Kaluma added. The comments were made ahead of the Linda Mwananchi rally held in Homa Bay County on Sunday, August 16. The rally was preceded by violence in parts of the county, with roads reportedly blocked and private property looted on Saturday night. The disturbances continued into Sunday, forcing members of the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi group to use alternative routes as they attempted to access various towns.
The NCIC has condemned the violence, warning that increasing political intolerance could push the country towards lawlessness. In a statement issued on Sunday, the commission described the incidents in Homa Bay as “unfortunate and worrying”, saying political violence threatened peace, security and democratic participation. “The Commission reiterates that any Kenyan is allowed to hold political activities in any part of the country as long as they do not break the law. While these rights are fundamental, they must be exercised responsibly, without incitement to violence, hate speech, or disorder,” the NCIC stated.
The commission’s inquiry into Kaluma’s remarks is being conducted under provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act. The summons cites Sections 27, 29 and 63C, read together with Section 63E. The allegations have attracted criticism from political leaders and activists, some of whom have called for Kaluma’s arrest and prosecution. However, the statements have not been established as hate speech by a court, and the NCIC summons is part of an ongoing investigation. The commission is seeking to establish whether the remarks violated the law and whether they amounted to incitement in the context of the violence witnessed during the political tour.
NCIC chair Bishop Kepha Nyamweya Omae has warned against political rhetoric capable of fuelling hate speech, ethnic polarisation and violence as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 General Election. The commission has also cautioned that failure to honour the summons could result in further legal action, including a possible warrant of arrest and criminal or contempt proceedings. Kaluma is therefore expected to appear before the NCIC on Wednesday morning and respond to the allegations.
The investigation comes at a time of heightened political mobilisation across the country and could provide an early test of how institutions respond to inflammatory political rhetoric ahead of the 2027 elections.
