By:Betty Luke
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. PHOTO/Courtesy
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a series of utterances it is investigating for possible hate speech.
In a letter dated August 18, 2026, the Commission said it is investigating statements Gachagua allegedly made on different dates and at public forums in Vihiga, Kisii and Meru counties.
According to the letter, on June 12, 2026, during a public rally in Luanda, Vihiga County, Gachagua made remarks targeting the Luo community, whom he referred to as “our cousins” alleging that an individual identified as ‘Kasongo’ had complained when he (Gachagua) called on cousins to unite.
“Kasongo, leave our family alone. Go and look for your cousins in Sudan together with those you left there.”
The Commission also cited remarks made on February 23, 2026, at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County, targeting Nyaribari Chache MP Zagheer Jhanda.
According to NCIC, he called on residents to support former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i in dealing with what he described as “traitors of the Kisii community.”
Gachagua allegedly went on to refer to Jhanda as “the Indian you elected here as your representative” and asked the crowd whether they wanted him to leave.
The Commission further cited statements Gachagua allegedly made during his Meru tour between July 25 and 28, 2026.
Addressing his earlier reference to “killing the snake and the eggs,” he allegedly said, “Killing the snake means removing William Ruto through the ballot, while killing the eggs means removing all his supporters through the ballot.”
Gachagua also allegedly accused leaders from the Mount Kenya region of betraying the community and called for them to be dealt with politically.
“This community called the Mount Kenya region will deal with traitors for the next 50 years,” he allegedly told the gathering, according to the NCIC summons.
In another Meru address, Gachagua allegedly accused President William Ruto of plotting to eliminate the political leadership of the Mount Kenya region. He questioned how the President could “purge the leadership of an entire community that voted you President” and accused him of targeting leaders who held different positions.
Gachagua also allegedly warned President Ruto against visiting Meru if Chief Justice Martha Koome was removed from office.
“If you remove Martha Koome, stay in Nairobi and do not step into Meru again,” he allegedly said.
NCIC has directed Gachagua to appear before the commission on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 2pm to assist with the ongoing investigations failure to which a warrant of arrest would be issued against him.