NCIC summons Raila over ‘Madoadoa’ remarks

By Judith Gicobi

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) summoned HE Rt Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga today in reference to statements made during his meeting in Wajir county on March 9, 2022.

He used the name “Madoadoa” in his statements, which is considered a hate speech phrase in Kenya.

NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia announced in a statement that the board will seek a clarification from Odinga on the usage of the phrase.

Allies of Deputy President William Ruto have urged investigating authorities to act quickly.

While the expression “madoadoa” is frequently used to mobilize people behind what is known as “six-piece voting,” in which parties urge their constituents to vote for candidates in all elective positions from their own parties, it also has a bad meaning of ethnic cleansing.

The word “madoadoa” was heavily included in Kenya’s trials before the Hague-based International Criminal Court, when six Kenyans were prosecuted over the Post-Election Violence, which claimed 1,100 lives and displaced over 600,000 people.

The post-election unrest erupted after Odinga’s camp, which led the major opposition in a campaign against then-President Mwai Kibaki, disputed the results of the 2007 General Election, claiming election manipulation.

Odinga’s associates at the time, Ruto, Henry Kosgei, and radio journalist Joshua arap Sang, were all detained in The Hague as a result of the chaos.

On Kibaki’s side, the ICC charged Uhuru Kenyatta, the Head of the Public Service Francis Muthaura, and the Commissioner of Police Mohammed Hussein.

After most witnesses later retracted their claims, the charges against all six persons, which had been described as politically contrived by opponents, crumbled.

Raila will face off against Ruto in the presidential election on August 9.