Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya is set to face a full trial over allegations of hate speech, following the collapse of reconciliation talks with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The trial date has been scheduled for January 17, 2026, after Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mutai ruled that the case proceed to hearing.
The decision came after the court was informed that the conciliation process had stalled due to the expiry of NCIC commissioners’ term.
Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki told the court that the commission, which had been expected to mediate between the parties, could not proceed because its mandate expired before discussions began.
“The conciliation proceedings stalled following the expiry of the Commission’s term,” Kariuki explained, prompting the magistrate to order that the case move forward to trial.
The case had earlier been referred to the NCIC at the request of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which sought the commission’s review and recommendations before determining the next steps.
NCIC’s role, however, was limited to evaluation and advice it did not include determining the MP’s guilt or innocence.
Salasya is accused of making inflammatory remarks in May that allegedly targeted members of two ethnic communities.
According to the charge sheet, the MP posted the remarks on his X account (formerly Twitter), knowing they were insulting, inciting, and intended to stir up ethnic hatred.
Under the National Cohesion and Integration Act (2008), hate speech carries a penalty of up to three years in prison, a fine of sh1 million, or both.
However, proposed amendments under the National Cohesion and Integration (Amendment) Bill, 2022 could increase these penalties to ten years in jail or a sh10 million fine for those who publish or disseminate hate speech through media.
Convicted individuals could also face disqualification from holding public office for five years.
The court had initially set today’s mention date to receive feedback from the NCIC. After confirming that the commission’s term had expired before concluding the talks, Magistrate Mutai directed that Salasya’s case proceed to a full trial.
