The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has today summoned Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga over the ‘Madoadoa’ remarks he made during a rally in Wajir on Wednesday.

In a statement, NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia stated that the body will be seeking to get an explanation from Odinga over the use of the word.

“The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has today summoned HE Rt Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga in response to remarks made in his meeting in Wajir county on 9th March 2022.In his remarks, he mentioned the term ‘Madoadoa ‘which is considered a hate speech term in Kenya,” he stated.

Odinga used the word that recently landed Meru Senator Mithika Linturi in trouble.

“As my soldiers you must be armed and have ammunition. By that I mean you need to have a voter’s card and a national identify card,” he said.

“We want you to elect Azimio candidates. We don’t want madoadoa (spots),” the presumed candidate of the Azimio Movement told his followers.

While the madoadoa phrase is often used to rally voters behind what is termed as a six-piece voting where parties urge their constituents to elect candidates in all elective posts from their outfits, it also carries a negative connotation of ethnic cleansing.