Mumias East MP Peter Salasya to stand trial over alleged hate speech remarks. Reconciliation talks with NCIC collapsed after the commissioners’ term expired.
Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya will face a full trial over allegations of hate speech, after efforts to reconcile the matter before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) collapsed.
Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai set the trial date for January 17, 2026, ruling that the case must proceed to a hearing.
The court heard that the conciliation process had stalled because the term of NCIC commissioners expired before discussions began, leaving no legal mandate for the talks to continue.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had initially referred the case to NCIC for review and possible reconciliation between the parties.
However, Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki informed the court that the process could not proceed as planned due to the expiry of the commission’s term.
“The conciliation proceedings stalled following the expiry of the Commission’s term.”
— Virginia Kariuki, Prosecutor
With the mediation process rendered incomplete, Magistrate Mutai directed that the case proceed to a full hearing.
According to the charge sheet, Salasya is accused of making inflammatory remarks in May this year that allegedly targeted two ethnic communities.
The prosecution claims the MP posted the remarks on his X account (formerly Twitter), fully aware that they were insulting, inciting, and likely to stir ethnic hatred — contrary to the National Cohesion and Integration Act (2008).
Under the current Act, hate speech attracts a penalty of: Up to three years in prison, or A fine of KSh 1 million, or both.
Proposed amendments in the National Cohesion and Integration (Amendment) Bill, 2022 could raise these penalties to: Up to 10 years imprisonment, or
A fine of KSh 10 million, especially for individuals who spread hate speech through media or online platforms.
Additionally, convicted persons could be barred from holding public office for up to five years.
The court will now proceed with a full trial on January 17, 2026, marking the next stage in the case after failed mediation efforts.
