Hate Speech: NCIC tells Jamia to make formal complaint

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has reached out to Jamia Mosque to make a formal statement regarding complaints of hate speech.

This follows the circulation of a viral video featuring a church leader making inflammatory and inciting remarks targeting the Muslim community.

In a letter dated December 8 and addressed to Jamia Mosque Secretary General Abdul Bari Hamid, the Commission acknowledged the spiteful content of the video and urged the mosque to submit its complaint to facilitate further investigation.

“In order to facilitate investigations into the issue raised in your complaint, you are kindly invited to record a formal statement with us at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission headquarters on Wednesday, 10th December, 2025,” said the letter signed by NCIC CEO Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti.

According to its mandate, the Commission is tasked with promoting equality of opportunity, fostering good relations, and enhancing peaceful coexistence among Kenya’s diverse ethnic and racial communities. It is also responsible for advising the government on related matters.

The video, which circulated widely across social media platforms, features self-proclaimed Prophet Mathew Israel — founder of Christ Generation Chosen Ministries based in Kasarani — issuing inflammatory allegations alleging that Muslims are plotting to take over the country and would oppress Christians. “If we don’t pray, we are going to have a president from this religion, if he were to take over, Christians will be suppressed and freedom of worship will be suppressed,” he said.

He further made false allegations about the Holy Qur’an, describing it as a book that encourages violence and intolerance toward non-Muslims. “In their so-called holy book, they are told that anybody who does not worship their God must be killed. If you don’t belong to their religion, they hate you,” he said.

In response, Sheikh Ibrahim Lethome condemned the church leader’s remarks, accusing him of attempting to sow dangerous seeds of hatred among Kenyans who have long lived together in peace and harmony.

“It is clear that the message was against the Muslims of this country. From the pulpit of Jamia Mosque, we urge that action be taken against such utterances. If we allow these statements to go unchecked, they will become a recipe for religious conflict in the country,” the Jamia Mosque official said, urging the NCIC and other government agencies to act promptly to curb such hateful rhetoric.