NCIC Clarifies Findings on Kaluma, Otuoma Remarks After Media Reports

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has clarified its findings concerning remarks made by Homabay Town MP Peter Kaluma and Busia Governor Paul Otuoma following media reports suggesting that the two had been cleared by the Commission.

In a statement on Saturday, October 3, NCIC said the reports had misrepresented the substance of its determinations and rejected claims that it had summoned Kaluma and Otuoma to sanitise their remarks.

"The National Cohesion and Integration Commission takes serious exception to reporting in sections of the media that portray its determinations concerning Peter Kaluma and Paul Otuoma as having 'cleared' them, or suggests that the Commission summoned them to sanitise their remarks. These characterisations misrepresent the substance of the determinations and the NCIC requests that it be corrected," the statement read.

NCIC said it reached its findings after conducting investigations and considering the defences presented by the two respondents.

It said Kaluma's speech was found to have raised concerns over political intimidation, while Otuoma's remarks were assessed in the context in which they were made.

"Following investigations and consideration of their respective defences, the Commission found Hon. Kaluma’s speech intemperate, ambiguous and dangerous in its reasonably understood meaning, creating an appreciable risk of political intimidation. 

"It found Otuoma’s remarks threatening and exclusionary in context, and likely to stir hostility against residents and traders perceived as outsiders by ethnic or national origin," the statement added.

NCIC said its findings constituted serious adverse determinations and that it had taken immediate steps against the remarks while requiring corrective measures from the respondents.

"These are serious adverse findings. The Commission issued immediate cessation notices and specified corrective measures, including public clarification, withdrawal or correction of harmful messaging, and peace engagements at the respondents' own reasonable cost, as provided in each determination. The Commission neither endorsed nor excused their language," the statement further read.

NCIC also explained the next steps should conciliation fail to resolve the matters satisfactorily, pointing to provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act governing compliance and enforcement.

"Both determinations expressly provide that, if the Commission formally records that conciliation has failed to achieve a satisfactory resolution, appropriate compliance notices shall issue under sections 56 and 57, with enforcement governed by section 58. The immediate cessation notices remain in effect throughout the process," the statement noted.

NCIC further urged media houses that had published or broadcast what it described as misleading descriptions of the determinations to issue corrections.

"We call upon media houses that published or broadcast these misleading characterisations to correct them promptly and give the corrections prominence commensurate with the original reporting. Future coverage should accurately present each determination’s findings, statutory outcome and corrective directions together," the statement concluded.

This comes days after NCIC 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.