Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been warned of possible arrest by senior officials in President William Ruto’s government over alleged incitement to violence and ethnic divisions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki accused Gachagua of stoking ethnic tensions and issuing threats to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in what they termed as an attempt to destabilise the country for political gain.
“He is not above the law,” said Murkomen during a public event in Iten on Saturday. “Let that man continue making noise and inciting Kenyans. We will arrest him.”
Gachagua, who was impeached by Parliament in October last year, had earlier warned that Kenya could witness post-election violence worse than the 2007/08 crisis if the IEBC bungles the 2027 polls.
In his defence, he stated: “I myself abhor violence and instability. I am only warning IEBC that our politics are fluid. It is my civic duty to caution.”
Prof Kindiki, speaking in Busia, dismissed Gachagua’s remarks as unpatriotic, stating: “Our country is not at risk of experiencing pre or post-election violence similar to that witnessed in 2007/08. Those prophesying such occurrences are the real enemies of Kenyans.”
Murkomen further claimed Gachagua was attempting to create national tension to mask his personal political struggles, insisting that the government would not tolerate threats to national security.
In a sharp rebuttal, Gachagua accused the government of hypocrisy and questioned its commitment to justice, referencing enforced disappearances and the crackdown on Gen Z protesters.
“The truth is that you cannot escape the blot of the Gen Z massacre. It happened under your watch as Interior CS,” he told Prof Kindiki.
He added: “You cannot condemn violence when your hands are dripping with the blood of Gen Z… I am a peaceful man. I have been restraining my followers from hitting the road to protest against grave injustices against us.”
The escalating political tensions come as both Murkomen and Kindiki reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peaceful and fair elections in 2027.
Prof Kindiki warned against leaders using tribal sentiments to derail national unity and development, stating that “politicians whipping up emotions at the expense of development are anti-people.”
Meanwhile, the government has pointed to economic progress under President Ruto, citing a drop in fuel and maize flour prices, a stronger shilling, and improved rankings in Africa’s economic performance.
The political standoff sets the stage for heightened tensions as the country edges closer to the next general election.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
