"Due to unavoidable duties": Kaluma asks NCIC to delay summons over his remarks
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma wrote to the NCIC on August 18, requesting his summons be moved beyond August 27
- Kaluma disputed the transcription and translation of the utterances attributed to him, calling them erroneous
- The NCIC had warned that failure to appear would result in warrants of arrest and possible criminal proceedings
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma has formally requested the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to postpone his scheduled appearance, citing unavoidable state duties and disputing the accuracy of statements attributed to him.
In a letter dated August 18, 2026, Kaluma acknowledged receipt of the commission's summons issued on August 17 but asked that his appearance be rescheduled to a date after August 27, 2026.
He cited prior state engagements on August 19 as the reason he could not honour the original date.
"I will be engaged in unavoidable state duties on Wednesday, August 19. Please reschedule my attendance before the commission to a date after August 27, 2026," he wrote.
Kaluma disputes transcription of his remarks
Beyond the scheduling conflict, Kaluma challenged the basis of the summons itself, describing the transcription and translation of the remarks attributed to him as "erroneous."
He requested that the commission provide a corrected transcription and translation before he could formally respond to the allegations.
Despite his objections, Kaluma stated he remained willing to appear before the NCIC once the rescheduling was accommodated.
He had been directed to appear before the commission on August 19 at 10am to account for the specific utterances captured in the viral recording.
The commission also warned that failure to appear in person would lead to warrants of arrest and could result in criminal or contempt proceedings being instituted against him.
Kaluma, who also serves as assistant speaker, addressed his letter to the commission and copied it to Bishop Dr. Kepha N. Ominde, chairperson of the NCIC.
What triggered the NCIC summons
Meanwhile, the commission's move followed remarks Kaluma made on August 15, hours before the Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay.
In a video that circulated widely, the MP was captured saying, "As of today, we are issuing the command that anyone that says one term deal with them. Anyone who has worked with the other side, even if they were a driver, and they feel they cannot walk with us, must disappear...This is an ODM stronghold, and we insist that Ruto must be two-term. If anyone speaks of one term, deal with them."
The rally subsequently descended into chaos, with authorities recording 34 injuries, including gunshot wounds, one fatality, and the torching of multiple vehicles.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.