The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has denied viral social media claims that it summoned Democracy for Citizens party leader Rigathi Gachagua over alleged inflammatory statements.
The commission dismissed these reports as false, indicating that no administrative action has been taken against the former Deputy President, despite public demands and letters submitted to the commission.
However, the NCIC has not clarified whether Gachagua’s remarks warrant a summons or if they amount to hate speech.
On Tuesday, a prominent mall in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate filed a formal complaint with the NCIC against the remarks linking the mall’s construction to funds from a U.S.-led investigation into the Minnesota fraud case.
The complaint was prompted by statements Gachagua reportedly made on January 4, during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina Church in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County.
According to lawyers representing the mall owners, Gachagua alleged that money stolen in Minnesota, USA, had been funnelled to Kenya and used to build the Eastleigh mall.
“Our clients’ property is a lawfully established business, and any suggestion that it is linked to criminal funds is false and damaging,” the lawyers stated in their letter to the NCIC.
They further argued that Gachagua’s remarks repeatedly referenced ethnicity, implying collective culpability of the Somali community. The lawyers said this amounts to ethnic vilification and urged the NCIC to censure Gachagua for his comments.
The complaint urged NCIC to determine if the remarks amounted to ethnic contempt or hate speech, issue a censure, and recommend Gachagua for prosecution.
The developments prompted Wiper Patriotic Front leader and Ruto ally, Kalonzo Musyoka, to address the controversy on Wednesday after allegations surfaced that Gachagua was targeting the Somali community with his remarks.
Speaking at the funeral of the late Muhia Njoroge, father of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, on January 7, Kalonzo said the united opposition stands in solidarity with the Somali community.
He added that the opposition is committed to fostering genuine unity in Kenya, countering claims that have emerged following Gachagua’s statements.
Meanwhile, despite earlier complaints about Gachagua’s conduct, the commission has yet to enforce any actual summons on him, with previous grievances only resulting in warning letters.
In response, politicians allied to Gachagua have criticised the NCIC for what they describe as selective enforcement of its mandate, urging the commission to act impartially.
