MP Salasya must apologise publicly, join peace campaign, Court rules on hate speech case

A Nairobi court has directed Mumias East MP Peter Salasya to publicly apologise and participate in a peace and cohesion campaign as part of a settlement agreement in his ongoing hate speech case.

The ruling came during a session on Monday, January 19, 2026, where the court emphasised that key conditions of the agreement with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had yet to be implemented.

The case arises from statements Salasya is alleged to have made during political engagements in Meru and Isiolo counties, as well as along a travel route towards Nanyuki.

The prosecution claimed the remarks amounted to hate speech, contrary to the law.

Earlier, the prosecution had sought the intervention of the commission to explore dialogue and reconciliation between the MP and the public.

Salasya, who has denied the charges, is currently out on a Sh200,000 cash bail.

During Monday’s hearing, the court noted that while the parties had entered into a conciliation agreement, compliance with certain directives outlined in the deal had not been demonstrated.

Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai highlighted that the agreement required Salasya to hold a joint press conference with the NCIC, publicly issuing an apology and advocating for national peace and cohesion.

The court declined to immediately adopt the settlement, emphasising that the MP must first comply with the agreed-upon terms.

Before or upon the execution of this agreement, the parties shall jointly hold a well-publicised press conference at a venue and place to be communicated by the commission, in which the respondent shall communicate in public his apology,” the magistrate read from the agreement.

He added, “I will not adopt this agreement immediately because these are things you willingly agreed to do. I will give you a chance to go do it and provide evidence that it has been done since the accused signed.”

The court further directed Salasya to participate in a social media campaign aimed at promoting peace, cohesion, and integration across the country.

Evidence of these activities must be submitted within 14 days from the date of the ruling.

The magistrate emphasised that adherence to these conditions is crucial to ensure that the settlement serves its purpose of reconciliation and public accountability.

The NCIC had earlier facilitated the conciliation, bringing both parties together to resolve the matter amicably.

However, the alternative dispute resolution process faced the risk of collapsing after the terms of the NCIC commissioners expired before conciliation talks could commence.

According to a previous gazette notice, there were impending vacancies in the membership of the Commission arising from the anticipated expiry of the six-year non-renewable term of office of the current members with effect from November 17, 2025.