Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya’s hate speech case has been referred to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) for review and recommendations.

The decision was made by a magistrate’s court following an application by Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Virginia Kariuki, who requested that the matter be handed over to the NCIC for resolution.

“We are seeking a further mention in two months to confirm whether the Commission has finalized this matter,” said the prosecutor.

During the court session, Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai questioned whether the referral to the NCIC would amount to a parallel trial. In response, the prosecution clarified that the Commission’s role was not to determine guilt but to assist in evaluating whether the case should proceed based on their findings.

“The offence in question involves incitement of the public. The Commission does not issue rulings like the court but can assist by making recommendations to the DPP on the way forward,” the prosecutor explained.

The magistrate also raised concerns about why the NCIC had not been involved prior to Salasya being charged in court. The prosecution responded that although the DPP and NCIC operate as separate entities, they collaborate closely, and both play critical roles in addressing hate speech cases.

When asked whether there had been a rush to charge the MP without fully exhausting other avenues, the prosecutor denied any haste, stating that the referral to the NCIC was part of due process.

“The DPP should ensure all avenues are explored before arraigning an accused person,” Magistrate Mutai emphasized.

Nonetheless, the court allowed the application and scheduled the case for mention on 11th November 2025, to receive updates on the NCIC’s findings. Should there be no progress by that date, the magistrate indicated that the matter would be set for hearing.

MP Peter Salasya was charged in May 2025 with hate speech. He is accused of posting inflammatory and insulting comments on Facebook targeting members of a particular community.