NCIC warns Gachagua against inciting remarks in political battle with President Ruto
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the launch of DAP-K new headquarters at Karen, Nairobi on January 27, 2025.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has ordered former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to desist from making statements that may stir ethnic hatred and incite violence in his political tackles with President William Ruto.
Citing Mr Gachagua’s recent remarks on petitions seeking the removal of Chief Justice Martha Koome, the commission ruled the former DP out of order, saying he was abusing freedom of speech.
In his speech in Meru, Mr Gachagua accused President Ruto of plotting to remove the CJ ahead of the 2027 elections due to her ethnicity.
“Your allegation… is misleading and meant to promote negative ethnicity and likely to incite feelings of animosity among Kenyans thus undermining the peaceful co-existence,” NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia says in a February 27 letter to Mr Gachagua.
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In the letter, NCIC noted that on February 23, 2025, at AIPCA Anutebwe Kiongo Church in Igembe North, Meru County, Mr Gachagua made statements “meant to stir up the emotions of a section of members of the Ameru community”.
The commission faulted the former deputy president for warning Dr Ruto not to visit Meru County if CJ Koome is removed from office.
“This is a direct violation of the president’s constitutional rights as the symbol of national unity to visit any part of the country to discharge his official duties as the dutifully and lawfully elected president of the Republic of Kenya,” NCIC said.
The commission, while acknowledging that freedom of speech is guaranteed in the Constitution, cautioned him to exercise more restraint and choose his words more carefully.
“You are advised not to engage in utterances that amount to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred based on discrimination. Our concern as a commission is that such utterances could stir feelings of animosity between communities which is not good for Kenya,” NCIC said.
To ensure national cohesion and unity, the commission asked Mr Gachagua to desist from “such or similar utterances/conduct as they are likely to interfere with peaceful and harmonious co-existence of ethnic groups”
Since his ouster from office, the former deputy president has been on record criticising the Kenya Kwanza regime over what he says are its failures in matters good governance.
At the pinnacle of his frequent diatribes is President Ruto whom he accuses of betraying him and orchestrating his impeachment just two years after he helped him enter State House.
Mr Gachagua has vowed to lead the opposition in denying Dr Ruto a second term in the 2027 general election and is currently assembling his troops.