NCIC summons Gachagua over 2007 violence remarks
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has revealed that it has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made on a live interview.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, NCIC chairperson Samuel Kobia stated that they are waiting for Gachagua to honour the summons.
“NCIC is concerned with Rigathi Gachagua’s recent remarks. These thoughts are not only appalling but dangerously insensitive to the pain, loss and trauma suffered by thousands of Kenyans during one of the darkest chapters in our history,” Kobia said.
Hold accountable
“We have summoned Rigathi Gachagua on other matters because some weeks back, we also censured him publicly because of some utterances that he made. So, yes, we have summoned him, and once he comes, we will go through it,” he revealed.
“The commission is working closely with other relevant government agencies to hold Rigathi Gachagua responsible and accountable for these reckless utterances.”
During the press conference, NCIC equally cautioned political leaders against remarks which may destabilise the nation by creating division, suspicion and hatred.
“We are seeing a dangerous return to politics of ethnicity, which undermines the gains made in promoting issue-based leadership,” Kobia stated.
Gachagua unmoved
Gachagua’s remarks on the 2007 post-election violence have elicited mixed reactions from various quarters, with his supporters saying his words were cautionary, while others terming the talk as reckless.
The former Deputy President has vowed to keep reminding the country of its dark past, maintaining that it is the only way the future can be shaped.
“What has unsettled them, and why they are shouting at me, is because they do not want us to remind the public about what happened in Kiambaa Church during the 2007 post-election violence. We forgave President Ruto, but we have not forgotten. We had nearly moved on, but when you sent people to PCEA Mwiki Church in Kasarani to cause chaos and attempt to harm us inside God’s house, everything came flooding back,” Gachagua said during a church service in Gatanga on May 18, 2025.
NCIC has equally cautioned leaders against reminding Kenyans of the violence that displaced hundreds of thousands and resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people.
“There is absolutely nothing to celebrate about the 2007/08 violence. Such careless statements dishonour the memory of those who suffered and lost their lives,” Kobia said.
NCIC has previously censured Gachagua over remarks he made about an imminent removal from office of Chief Justice Martha Koome.
