The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has established a special team of prosecutors to handle hate speech and election-related offences as Kenya steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Igonga said the team would focus on investigating and prosecuting individuals involved in hate speech, incitement and other electoral offences.
The move comes amid growing concerns over political hooliganism, tribal divisions and inflammatory statements, particularly on social media platforms, as political activities ahead of the next elections intensify.
Igonga said the ODPP had begun training the designated officers in collaboration with other stakeholders to strengthen their capacity to handle cases related to electoral offences and promote accountability.
"ODPP has set up a special team of prosecutors whose sole mandate is to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of hate speech and election offences," he said.
Several government agencies and independent institutions have recently raised concerns about the growing spread of divisive political messages, warning that such statements could undermine national unity and peaceful coexistence.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) is among the institutions that have flagged the increase in hate speech, particularly online, as a concern ahead of the 2027 polls.
Igonga was speaking in Naivasha after officially opening new ODPP offices, where he also addressed concerns surrounding the withdrawal of criminal cases from courts.
The DPP defended the decision to withdraw certain cases, maintaining that the move was justified and undertaken in accordance with established legal procedures.
He explained that all withdrawals were subject to court approval, adding that the ODPP was also promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to help ease the growing backlog of cases.
According to Igonga, the establishment of the Naivasha office would improve access to prosecutorial services and facilitate the administration of justice for residents.
He noted that the office would also help ensure the timely handling of cases involving children, particularly defilement and other sexual offences reported in the area.
Naivasha Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti said the Judiciary would continue working closely with the ODPP to strengthen access to justice and ensure cases were handled efficiently.
Ogoti added that the courts were prioritising matters involving children, particularly during the ongoing Children's Service Month, to ensure that cases affecting minors were addressed without unnecessary delays.
Judge Cecelia Githua said the Judiciary was increasingly embracing Alternative Dispute Resolution to reduce the number of pending cases and improve the speed of justice delivery.
She revealed that Naivasha had 1,906 pending criminal cases and more than 500 traffic cases, highlighting the pressure facing the local judicial system.
Githua said collaboration between the Judiciary and the ODPP was critical in addressing the backlog and ensuring that cases were concluded within reasonable timelines.
Meanwhile, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Representative Ali El-Bereir reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting Kenya's criminal justice system.
He said the United Nations would continue providing support, including infrastructure assistance, to strengthen institutions responsible for delivering justice.
El-Bereir also said the UN would support Kenya's preparations for the August 2027 General Election by helping build the capacity of relevant government institutions.
The establishment of the special prosecution team comes as authorities intensify efforts to address hate speech, promote national cohesion and strengthen the country's preparedness for the next electoral period.
