Abstract:
This study examined hate speech as the language of political discourse in Kenya, the
study isolated the proliferation of hate speech within Kenyan politics as an imminent threat to
national cohesion, arising from the emerging ethnic polarization. The study provides critical
insights to aid in informing the reform agenda if hate speech is to be muted. It was anchored on
critical postmodernism and questions the dominant assumptions that belie the current models
addressing hate speech.
Methodology: A mixed method approach was adopted in the study. A sample of 200 youths
was drawn from Nairobi County, who completed questionnaires and a focus group discussion
with election violence victims numbering 45.
Findings: The findings reveal that Kenyan communities co-exist in relative harmony except over
each election cycle, when speech fomenting ethnic hatred dominates the campaign rhetoric,
aggravating ethnic animosity. Findings suggests that hate speech sufficiently harmful to justify
constitutional protection and points to the urgent need to develop an open discourse on the
limitations of free speech as guaranteed by the Kenya Constitution as well as the dangers of hate
speech to society. The study constitutes a unique contribution to study on hate speech,
promoting the argument that the power of hate speech derives from the mental concepts created
through conspiracy theories spreading fear and hatred. Equally,critical insights on the extent of
the influence of hate speech in the Kenyan scenario, and demonstrates how political elites invoke
ethnic identities to further their own agendas. The study finds incompleteness of research
surrounding the hate speech discourse.
Recommendations: It highlights the tenets of new policy imperatives to effectively augment
efforts towards curbing hate speech, particularly in light of unprecedented developments in
online media as an ongoing discourse in post-conflict societies struggling with
institutionalization of ethnic cleavages.
