The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned two Members of Parliament over separate remarks that are being investigated for potentially breaching laws on national cohesion.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, September 22, the commission said Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Turkana South MP John Ariko Naimot had been called to appear before it over statements they allegedly made in Bungoma and Turkana counties.
Barasa has been directed to appear before the NCIC to respond to remarks he made in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, on September 19.
“The Commission is investigating public utterances made by Hon. Didmus Wekesa Barasa at Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County on 19th September, 2026," the NCIC stated.
The commission said Barasa spoke about leaders from the former Western Province serving in senior government positions, including Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, ambassadors and parastatal chairpersons.
According to the NCIC, the lawmaker called on the leaders to use their positions to advance what he described as the interests of people from the region.
The remarks prompted an inquiry by the commission under several provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
“Pursuant thereto, you are hereby summoned pursuant to sections 13, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 56, 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, to appear before the Commission,” the summons states.
Naimot, meanwhile, has been summoned over remarks he allegedly made on September 2 at Kaputir Location in Kapurir Ward, Turkana South Constituency.
The NCIC said the MP allegedly used derogatory language against a community while addressing issues surrounding insecurity, livestock raids and the distribution of benefits from the Lokichar Oil Basin.
The commission said the remarks made during the Kaputir address were also under investigation and summoned Naimot to appear for a cohesion inquiry under the same provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Both MPs are required to appear before the NCIC on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The commission said the summons would give the lawmakers an opportunity to respond to the allegations, provide evidence and make representations before the NCIC reaches a determination.
“At the inquiry you will be afforded an opportunity to respond, adduce evidence and make any representations you wish the Commission to consider,” the Commission reiterated.
The NCIC clarified that the summonses do not constitute a finding that either MP committed an offence.
However, the notices warn that failure to honour the summonses could result in warrants of arrest and/or criminal or contempt proceedings.
