NCIC Summons Gachagua Over 'Christmas Party' Remark on 2007 Violence, Vows Action: "Insensitive"

• NCIC said Rigathi Gachagua’s description of the 2007/2008 post-election violence as a “Christmas party” was appalling and dangerously insensitive
• The commission warned that Gachagua’s words dishonoured victims and re-traumatised survivors who were still rebuilding their lives
• NCIC announced it was working with other agencies to hold Gachagua accountable for what it termed reckless and offensive utterances
• Chairperson Samuel Kobia cautioned the wider political class against hateful speech, saying Kenya needed leaders who promote unity and empathy

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi — The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has condemned former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua over his controversial characterisation of the 2007/2008 post-election violence as a "Christmas party."

In a sharply worded press statement on Wednesday, May 21, NCIC described the remarks as appalling and dangerously insensitive, warning that such rhetoric threatens Kenya’s peace and cohesion.

Gachagua’s comments have reignited painful memories of a tragic chapter in Kenya’s history that left over 1,100 Kenyans dead and more than 600,000 displaced.

NCIC has vowed to hold the former deputy president accountable for what they described as reckless utterances.

"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," the Commission stated.

The Samuel Kobia-led commission expressed deep concern that Gachagua’s words trivialise a period marked by national anguish and bloodshed.

By likening the violence to a festive celebration, NCIC said Gachagua has dishonoured the memories of victims and undermined survivors who have spent the last decade trying to rebuild their lives.

NCIC further noted that such rhetoric not only disrespects the collective grief of the nation, revealing that they were working to hold Gachagua accountable.

"The Commission is working closely with other relevant agencies to hold Rigathi Gachagua responsible for these reckless utterances," continued the statement.

Why did NCIC warn the political class

Beyond Gachagua, NCIC did not spare the broader political class, issuing a stern warning to all political leaders.

Kobia urged the leaders to refrain from making hateful and inciteful statements in both public and private spaces.

"We extend the same warning to all other leaders who have in the past been peddling hateful and inciteful utterances. We call on all leaders to exercise utmost responsibility in both their public and private statements. Kenya needs leaders who unify, not divide; who speak with empathy and respect, not with carelessness and contempt," read the statement in part.

As the country gradually enters the 2027 election cycle, NCIC observed early signs of dangerous political realignments.

The commission pointed out the growing trend of ethnically-based political mobilisation, a phenomenon NCIC said was reversing the gains of the 2022 polls.

Is there a plot to kill Gachagua

As earlier reported, Gachagua alleged that the government planned to kill him using airborne chemicals intended to paralyse his brain within three months.

He claimed that his team received intelligence from security officers about a plan to plant weapons in his convoy to fabricate charges against him.

Gachagua further stated that another group, trained in biological agents, was involved in the operation. He said the government intended to poison him through inhaled chemicals.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke