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Prominent human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has strongly condemned the ongoing defamation, insults, and incitement targeting President William Ruto, particularly by some Kenyan citizens in the diaspora. In a statement released earlier today, Ngetich called for immediate and firm action by the Kenyan government to safeguard the country's image, security, and democratic integrity from harmful attacks.
Ngetich’s remarks come in the wake of a controversial song by Kenyan artist Nelly, which he described as highly provocative and dangerous. The song, widely circulated on social media, contains lyrics that, according to Ngetich, not only defame President Ruto but also incite the public against the sitting government.
“The time for sitting back and allowing such hate speech and defamation to fester is over,” Ngetich said. “These acts are not just attacks on an individual, but on Kenya’s sovereignty, peace, and stability. The country’s international image is being tainted by individuals abroad hiding behind the guise of democracy.”
Ngetich went further to express concern that the actions of a few Kenyans living in the diaspora are being used to destabilize Kenya. He warned that, just like other African countries that have experienced political turmoil, Kenya could face similar destabilization if such conduct is not checked.
“History has shown us the consequences of external meddling in African nations’ affairs. We have witnessed the destruction of countries like Libya due to foreign-backed destabilization,” Ngetich continued. “Now, we see Kenyans abroad engaging in actions that undermine our democracy. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
The human rights activist also raised questions about the effectiveness of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), calling for its disbandment. Ngetich argues that the commission has failed to properly address issues of hate speech and defamation, especially in relation to President Ruto.
“The NCIC has proven to be ineffective in fulfilling its mandate. If we are to protect our democracy and ensure that the rule of law is respected, we need to take a harder stance on such behavior,” Ngetich remarked.
He emphasized the importance of respecting the office of the president, urging all Kenyans to engage in constructive criticism and uphold peace and stability. Ngetich also expressed his support for the creation of more stringent laws that would enable the Kenyan government to take legal action against individuals, both locally and abroad, involved in defamation, insults, and hate speech.
“The law must be clear: the abuse of public officials cannot be tolerated. Those who engage in these unlawful acts must face the full force of the law. We must ensure that no one is above the law, whether inside or outside Kenya,” Ngetich asserted.
The activist also called for an urgent diplomatic response, urging the Kenyan government to take necessary measures to address the situation, including sending a protest delegation to the U.S. government, where some of these actions are originating.
“We cannot allow Kenya’s sovereignty to be undermined by people who have abandoned the country only to come back and destroy it from the outside,” Ngetich concluded.
As the debate continues to grow over the rights to free speech versus the need to protect national unity and leadership, Kipkorir Ngetich’s call for action reflects the rising tensions in Kenya over the limits of democracy and the need to preserve the country’s stability and image on the international stage.
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