Questions surrounding public remarks by two Kenyan lawmakers have prompted the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to summon Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa and Turkana South MP John Ariko Naimot for separate inquiries.
The commission announced the summonses on Tuesday evening, September 22, 2026, following investigations into statements the legislators made in Bungoma and Turkana counties.
Barasa is expected to appear before the NCIC to explain remarks he made in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County, on September 19. The commission said it was examining comments in which the lawmaker discussed leaders from the former Western Province who currently occupy senior government positions.
According to the NCIC, Barasa referred to Cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, ambassadors and parastatal chairpersons from the region. He reportedly called on these leaders to use their positions to address what he described as the interests of people from Western Kenya.
The commission has launched an inquiry into the remarks under various provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
The summons cites Sections 13, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 56, 59, 60, 61, 62 and 63 of the legislation.
At the same time, Turkana South MP John Ariko Naimot faces scrutiny over comments he allegedly made at Kaputir Location in Kapurir Ward, Turkana South Constituency, on September 2.
The NCIC said Naimot allegedly used derogatory language when referring to a particular community while addressing issues surrounding insecurity, livestock raids and the sharing of benefits from the Lokichar Oil Basin.
The commission stated that the remarks formed part of its investigation into public utterances that could raise concerns under the National Cohesion and Integration Act. Naimot has therefore been directed to attend the inquiry and respond to the matters under investigation.
Both MPs are scheduled to appear before the NCIC on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at Britam Tower in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
The commission emphasized that the summonses would allow the lawmakers to respond to the concerns raised, provide evidence and make representations before any determination is reached.
This means that the summonses do not, on their own, amount to a finding that either MP has committed an offence.
However, the NCIC warned that failure to attend the inquiry could result in warrants of arrest and possible criminal or contempt proceedings.
The two lawmakers are expected to address the commission’s concerns as the investigations continue.
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