Martha Karua defends Gachagua over 2027 election remarks
PLP Party Leader Martha Karua has strongly defended former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following backlash over his recent remarks warning of potential unrest if the 2027 General Elections are manipulated.
Speaking during an interview on Sunday night, May 18, 2025, after being deported back into the country, Karua said Gachagua’s statements have been taken out of context and do not amount to incitement or criminality as claimed by the government.
Karua clarified that Gachagua was simply cautioning the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the government against any attempts to rig the upcoming elections.
She emphasised that the former DP’s comments were a reflection of historical realities, citing the 2007-2008 post-election violence and the Azimio protests in 2022 following claims of electoral malpractice.
“The context in which he said so was that he was issuing a warning not to tamper, and that tampering can bring civil strife to the country. And we have seen what tempering does, so there were Azimio demonstrations before Raila Odinga made some rapprochement with Ruto. Wasn’t that civil strife made by tampering with the electoral process? Have the remarks by the former DP been any different from the realities we have seen?” Martha Karua said.
She went further to question the government’s aggressive reaction to Gachagua’s remarks, suggesting that their discomfort may be a sign of guilt.
“It’s a warning to them. Why are they jumping around? Is it that they have been caught red-handed? They should stop haunting Gachagua as if he is a criminal; they should watch their steps and desist from manipulating the processes.”
Karua challenged the government to stop targeting Gachagua and instead focus on guaranteeing a free and fair electoral process.
She pointed out that many Kenyans are already dissatisfied with recent appointments to the IEBC, which they view as part of a broader plan to rig the 2027 elections.
Gachagua’s remarks
Gachagua had earlier stated during an interview that if the will of the people is subverted in 2027, it will make the 2007-2008 chaos look like a ‘Christmas party’, drawing both criticism and support in equal measure.
These remarks by Gachagua have not been taken lightly by top government officials, led by the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who has equated the comments to terrorism and banditry.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has also come out strongly to condemn Gachagua, telling him that he should not think he is untouchable or immune to arrest and detention.
