The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has warned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his "divisive utterances" ahead of the 2027 election.
NCIC chairman Samuel Kobia said the commission is working with relevant authorities to ensure Gachagua is held accountable over his recent remarks in reference to the 2007 post-election chaos.
Kobia specifically pointed to Gachagua's recent interview, where he appeared to suggest the upcoming election could potentially be marred by chaos.
And in his latest remarks, Gachagua referred to the 2007/2008 post-election unrest, saying it would appear as a 'Christmas party', should the government rig the next elections, a statement that has since unsettled different stakeholders.
"We are deeply concerned by the recent remarks made by Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, the former Deputy President, in which he referred to the 2007/2008 post-election unrest as a 'Christmas party.” Such statements are not only profoundly disturbing but also dangerously dismissive of the pain, loss, and trauma endured by thousands of Kenyans during one of the most tragic and sensitive periods in our nation’s history," NCIC said in their statement.
The 2007/2008 post-election followed the bungled presidential election, when Opposition leader Raila Odinga accused President Mwai Kibaki of Party of National Unity, of snatching his election victory. Over 1,000 people lost their lives and another 650,000 were uprooted from their homes in the ensuing unrest.
The Commission revealed it was in collaboration with other relevant authorities to hold Rigathi Gachagua responsible for reckless utterances'.
The NCIC also weighed in on the recent political shifts in the country and the formation of new political parties by sounding an alarm over a trend of ethnic-based politics. According to the commission, this was a gross violation of the Constitution.
"Let it be known: NCIC will not stand by as political actors sow seeds of discord and division under the guise of political party formation. We are closely monitoring political narratives, alliances, and rhetoric emerging across the country. Those found to be fanning ethnic tensions by building the so-called political vehicles will be held accountable for any negative socio-political consequences," the NCIC added.
While noting that the political climate in the country was turning 'toxic', the NCIC also extended a warning to other political leaders, urging them to exercise responsibility while making public statements.
Gachagua came under scrutiny recently after he appeared in an interview where he suggested that if the upcoming elections were rigged, the chaos that followed the 2007 polls would 'look like a Christmas party'.
The former DP, who recently launched a new political party - Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) - clarified his comments, insisting they were not made to incite Kenyans, instead saying that he was only voicing what he heard on the ground.
“All I said is I listened to Kenyans, and they are saying the President and IEBC should not rig elections.” Gachagua said on Sunday.
Notably, this is not the first time the NCIC is going after Gachagua over concerns of dividing the country. In March, Gachagua was slapped with a notice of cessation, as the NCIC warned the former DP against making utterances that contravene the NCI Act No. 12 of 2008.
At the time, the NCIC was responding to Gachagua's explosive claims that there was a concerted effort from the Kenya Kwanza government to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office. Gachagua and his allies hit back, accusing the NCIC of bias.
