Kimilili MP Didmus Wekesa Barasa has been called before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), after comments he made during a public address in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, drew scrutiny over alleged hate speech.

The commission issued the summons on September 22, 2026, following an investigation into remarks Barasa made three days earlier, in which he appeared to urge leaders from his community to use public office to favour their own.

In a video capturing the remarks, Barasa told his audience: “Ukipatiwa nafasi kubwa kama ni PS, ama wewe ni waziri, kama wewe ni ambassador, kama wewe ni chairman ya parastatal, na wewe unatoka mkoa wa magharibi, wewe jua nafasi hiyo ni ya jamii. Umepewa utumie kuhakikisha maswala na maslahi ya wananchi hawa.”

This is loosely translated as, “If you’re given a top position, whether as PS, minister, ambassador, or parastatal chairman, and you’re from the western region, know that position belongs to the community. You’ve been given it to serve and safeguard the interests of these people.”

The MP went further, appearing to instruct listeners to prioritise hiring from western Kenya while sidelining applicants from other ethnic communities during job interviews.

Describing a hypothetical interview scenario, Barasa said: “Hata ukiwa kwa ofisi na unafanya interview, na unakuta mtu ametoka huko Nyeri, anaitwa Kamau, na amekuja mbele yako, na ako na suti mzuri kabisa anaongea kizungu kubwa, wewe kama mwenye kusimamia interview na unatoka mkoa wa magharibi unaandika summary unasema ‘This particular candidate did not have the demeanor that is required for this position. He has therefore failed the interview that he was looking for.’

He further stated in the video, “Lakini ukisikia huyo mtu anaitwa Kiprotich kutoka Mt Elgon, anaitwa Wanyonyi, anaitwa Nekesa, anaitwa Hanani, unajua huyu ni mtu wa ingoho. Hata kama alikuwa na suti ya kuomba, hata kama hana kizungu mzuri, unaandika summary unasema ‘The panelists have discovered that this is the candidate that this institution was looking for. He has therefore passed the interview.’ Hiyo ndiyo maana sisi tunarudi nyuma kama jamii.”

Translated as “Even in an office interview, if a well-dressed, fluent-English-speaking candidate named Kamau comes from Nyeri, and you’re the interviewer from the western region, you write in your summary that he lacked the required demeanor and failed the interview. But when you hear someone is called Kiprotich from Mt Elgon, or Wanyonyi, Nekesa, or Hanani, you know this is “our person.” Even if he has a borrowed suit or speak fluent English, you write that the panel found the candidate the institution was looking for, and that he passed. That is why we as a community keep falling behind.”

Barasa has been directed to appear before the NCIC on September 29, 2026, at 10am, at the commission’s offices on the 17th floor of Britam Towers.