Politicians are on notice after dozens of political dialects banned

Politicians in Kenya are in the spotlight after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) banned a list of more than 20 English, Kiswahili, and vernacular words that constitute hate speech and have the potential to trigger political violence ahead of the 9 August poll.

NCIC is a Kenyan statutory body established in 2008 to promote national unity, reconciliation and promote equality.

Some of the popular jargon in Kiswahili that have been banned include hatupangwingwi (we will make our own choices) and watajua hawajui (they will reckon with us), which are regularly used by Deputy President William Ruto and his allies during political rallies.

Others include madoadoa (blemishes) and kama mbaya mbaya (it’s do or die) that have been used by politicians who support Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

NCIC chairman Reverend Samuel Kobia now says the words will no longer be allowed in public rallies, on social media posts, or on political talk shows. “This will go a long way in containing hate speech and ensuring our nation is secure during this electioneering period,” he said.

However, the ban has raised an uproar in the political sphere, with some from the Ruto camp claiming that they are being targeted by the commission.

In a show of defiance, the deputy president released a remix of the music video Hatupangwingwi just hours after the ban, which sent his supporters into a frenzy.