Nelson Koech: Rigathi Gachagua is not a threat to government
Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) Nelson Koech has stated that the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader is not a threat to the government.
Speaking at a local TV station on Monday, May 19, 2025, Koech stated that the former deputy president cannot run for any political office unless he overturns his impeachment.
“Rigathi is not a threat to anyone. Unless he overturns his impeachment, he cannot run for any office. He is not a competitor,” he stated.
“Section 13 of the Political Parties Act states that any person who is disqualified from holding public office should not hold any office in a political party,” Koech added.
Further, he stated that the DCP was formed by a group of leaders who had been expelled from the public service.
“DCP is a party of a group of people who have failed in public service and have decided to unite. People who have been expelled from public service,” he stated.
Gachagua’s remarks
The MP was speaking following Gachagua’s remarks on May 16, 2025, about the 2007-2008 post-election violence on the Obinna Show hosted in his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County.
Gachagua urged the incoming commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to be patriotic, warning that any attempt to force a candidate on Kenyans will be resisted.
“I want to implore those commissioners to be Kenyans, to be patriotic, and not to attempt to force William Ruto on the people of Kenya. It will not work, and the people of Kenya will not accept it.”
He went ahead to warn that should the IEBC make any attempt to subvert the will of the people, the 2007 post-election violence would look like a Christmas party.
“People want change, and they are ready for change; indeed, they are impatient that 2027 is too far away. The mood in the country is that if the IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there would be no country here; 2007 would look like a Christmas party,” he warned
In response, Koech stated that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has no interest in rigging the 2027 elections.
“We have no interest in rigging an election. This is not the first time UDA has run for an election. Gachagua is not a competitor,” he stated.
“Gachagua was not issuing that statement in vain. It is a statement of the plans he has. He has a very poisonous tongue. This is someone who has the capability of causing chaos through his tongue.”
Additionally, he has warned the former deputy president against blackmailing Kenyans with the 2007 post-election violence.
