Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent remarks about potential 2027 election violence continue to spark intense debate among Kenyans.
On May 16th, Gachagua appeared in an interview with popular YouTuber Oga Obinna, where he discussed several issues, including the performance of the current Kenya Kwanza Government and his new party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
However, what captured most of the people’s attention was his comment referencing the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
Although Gachagua maintains that his comments were taken out of context, many Kenyans from different political divide have been angered by the remarks.
Critics have warned that such rhetoric could incite unrest in the country.
Political leaders and government officials condemned Gachagua’s remarks. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen criticized the former DP and warned that action would be taken against any attempts to incite violence.
Deputy President Kindiki Kithure assured Kenyans that the 2027 elections would be peaceful, emphasizing the government’s commitment to national stability.
Consequently, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has since summoned Gachagua for questioning. NCIC Chairperson Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia termed the comments “disrespectful” to the victims of the 2007/2008 clashes, warning that such language could potentially incite public unrest.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to appear this week over remarks on possible civil unrest during the 2027 polls. NCIC commissioner Danvas Makori says Gachagua will be expected to explain his statements.
During an interview with TV47, former Nominated MP Wilson Sossion sharply criticized Gachagua’s statement, questioning whether it was a threat of civil war.
“The 2007 post-election violence was devastating no one should ever contemplate a repeat of that,” Sossion said. The unity between Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, Sossion says, was a means to completely unite Kenyans and avoid any re-occurrence of the same.
Defending Gachagua in the same interview, Dr. Peter Mbae, the Secretary for Planning and Economic Affairs in the DCP, claimed the statement was misinterpreted. He asserted that Gachagua was paraphrasing the findings of the Kriegler Commission which investigated the 2007/2008 election crisis and meant to caution Kenyans against repeating past mistakes.
While Gachagua maintains that his words were taken out of context, the controversy continues to dominate national discourse, highlighting the sensitivity of Kenya’s electoral history and the importance of responsible political speech.
