Published on March 5, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has faulted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for warning President William Ruto not to step in Meru.
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.
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”
