Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has come out strongly against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks he made during a recent interview.
According to Ichung’wah, he threatened that Kenya would face a repeat of the 2007/2008 post-election violence if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) failed to conduct credible elections in 2027.
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, in response to an adjournment motion tabled by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Ichung’wah did not mince his words, warning that such utterances risk plunging the country back into dark days of bloodshed and instability.
In a strongly worded statement, Ichung’wah condemned Gachagua’s sentiments and urged the government, especially the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to take firm action. He pointed out that Kanja, who comes from the same area as Gachagua, must rise above this and apply the law equally.
“We must all in one accord not just condemn but ask the government of the Republic of Kenya, and more so the Inspector General of Police – I know he hails from Mathira also – to act without fear or favour,” Ichung’wah told Parliament.
Ichung’wah further criticised Gachagua for disregarding a summons issued by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which sought to question him over the inflammatory remarks. Gachagua had reportedly sent his lawyers instead of appearing in person.
“NCIC did not summon a lawyer. It summoned a person who is not above the law, and the law must take its due course,” Ichung’wah added.
He went on to urge NCIC to take the matter seriously, and if Gachagua continues to defy their summons, they should seek the intervention of the Inspector General to enforce compliance.
Ichung’wah concluded by emphasising that no one, including the former Deputy President, is above the law, and all constitutional institutions must be respected.
The motion
This was during an adjournment motion tabled by Junet Mohammed to discuss remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the parliamentary recess. Gachagua had stated that if the 2027 elections are mismanaged by the IEBC, the 2007/2008 post-election violence would look like a Christmas party.
His request prompted the Speaker of the National Assembly to treat the matter with urgency, suspending all House business and allocating one and a half hours to discuss Gachagua’s conduct, warning that such rhetoric risks taking Kenya back to its dark past.
Gachagua made the controversial remarks on May 16, 2025, during an interview.
Several leaders, led by the Deputy President, came out to condemn his statement. Gachagua later defended himself, claiming that his comments were taken out of context.
