The hate speech case involving Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has been temporarily put on hold after a magistrate’s court ordered it to be reviewed by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
This development followed a request from the State Prosecutor, who asked the court to allow the NCIC to examine the matter and provide guidance before any further legal proceedings take place.
During the hearing on Wednesday, State Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki explained, “We are seeking a further mention in two months to confirm whether the Commission has finalized this matter.”
The court accepted the request and scheduled the next mention for November 11, 2025.
Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai expressed concern about the possibility of having two parallel processes due to the NCIC’s involvement.
The prosecution clarified that the commission’s role is limited to advising the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and not to determine whether the accused is guilty.
“The offence in question involves alleged incitement of the public. The Commission’s role is advisory and not judicial,” Kariuki said.
The magistrate also questioned why the NCIC had not been consulted before charges were filed against Salasya. Kariuki responded that while the DPP and the commission operate independently, they coordinate on cases concerning hate speech and community harmony.
Magistrate Mutai stressed the importance of following all legal procedures before formally charging suspects.
“The DPP should ensure all avenues are explored before arraigning an accused person,” he stated.
Salasya was charged on May 19, 2025, with hate speech, accused of sharing inflammatory comments on social media targeting a certain community.
If the NCIC does not complete its review by the set date, the court will proceed with the case.