UDA MP Admits Error, Commits to Retract Utterances After NCIC Summons

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has revealed that nominated MP Joseph Wainaina Iraya admitted to making an error in judgement over utterances he made while addressing residents in Uasin Gishu County.

In a statement on Thursday, October 1, the commission said it had been investigating utterances allegedly made by Wainaina while addressing residents in Ngeria, Uasin Gishu County, on August 29.

"The Commission has been carrying out investigations into utterances made by Nominated Member of Parliament Hon. Joseph Wainaina Iraya, while addressing Kapseret Residents in Ngeria, Uasin Gishu County on 29th August 2026," the statement read.

The NCIC said Wainaina was subsequently summoned to appear before the Commission to assist with the ongoing investigations into the remarks.

The nominated MP was summoned to appear before the Commission at Britam Tower, Upper Hill, on September 17, but appeared before the Commission on September 30.

Wainaina appeared before the Commission chaired by Bishop Dr. Kepha Nyamweya Omae, where he was interrogated on the context of his utterances as part of the continuing investigations.

"The Commission presented material evidence to Hon. Wainaina, highlighting the negative impact his utterances could have on the peaceful coexistence of the people of Uasin Gishu County, and the Country in general," the statement added.

According to the NCIC, Wainaina acknowledged that he had erred in judgement and expressed remorse over the remarks. 

The MP also committed to retracting the utterances and working with the Commission to promote peace.

"In his response, Hon. Wainaina was remorseful, and acknowledged he erred in judgement when making the said utterances, and has committed to retracting them. 

"He has further pledged to work together with the Commission as a peace ambassador on the ground, ensuring that Uasin Gishu County, and the Country remain peaceful and stable," the statement further read.

NCIC said it welcomed the MP's commitment and used the development to remind political leaders and members of the public to exercise their political rights within the law.

"The Commission welcomes Hon. Wainaina’s gesture and continues to call on political leaders, and Kenyans at large to exercise their political rights responsibly without breaking the law, avoiding ethnic contempt, incitement to violence, and hate speech," the statement concluded.

Wainaina was summoned after Jubilee Party called on NCIC to investigate remarks attributed to the MP, warning that such statements could threaten national cohesion.

In a statement on Monday, August 31, Jubilee Secretary General Moitalel Ole Kenta said Kenya must not repeat the events surrounding the 2007/08 post-election violence.

He argued that political rhetoric that targets communities or questions the right of Kenyans to live in particular parts of the country must be addressed before it escalates.

"Fellow Kenyans, our country has been here before. In 2007/08, Kenya descended into a period of violence that left over a thousand of our countrymen and women dead, hundreds of thousands displaced, and communities that had lived side by side for generations turned against one another in the name of politics. We buried our people, we counted our losses, and as a nation we made a solemn vow, Never Again," the statement read.

Ole Kenta noted that telling Kenyans to leave an area because of their political choices amounted to exclusionary rhetoric that could have serious consequences if allowed to take root.

He warned that such statements should not be regarded as ordinary political mobilisation, insisting that leaders across all levels of government should be held to standards that protect national unity.

"We call out this kind of politics for what it is, it is not leadership. It is not campaign mobilization. It is incitement dressed up in the language of political loyalty, and it has no place in our public discourse, not from a backbencher, not from a governor, not from a Member of Parliament, and certainly not from anyone who sits in the National Assembly," the statement added.

Ole Kenta challenged the NCIC to take action over the remarks, saying the commission was established to address rhetoric that could undermine cohesion and calling for investigations and prosecution where applicable.