Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) over its decision to investigate him for alleged hate speech, insisting his controversial "snake and its eggs" remarks were political rhetoric aimed at the ballot box rather than a call to violence.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Gachagua accused the commission of acting under political influence and attempting to shield senior government officials from public scrutiny.
“My statement was purely political. It referred to defeating President William Ruto and his allies democratically through the ballot in 2027, not violence,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President maintained that his remarks had been deliberately misrepresented and challenged the commission to summon him if it believed he had broken the law.
“If NCIC believes I have committed an offence, let them summon me formally and I will present myself to explain the context of my statement,” he said.
Gachagua further accused the commission of abandoning its constitutional mandate by selectively targeting opposition figures.
“The NCIC has ceased to be an independent institution and is now being used to silence government critics while protecting those in power,” he claimed.
Gachagua's response came hours after the NCIC announced investigations into ten political leaders over remarks the commission says could amount to hate speech or ethnic incitement ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Those under investigation include Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Mandera Deputy Governor Ali Maalim Mohamud, Sirisia MP John Waluke, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, Wanjiku Muhia, Tipape Naini Musa and Dr Dennis Adison Ouma.
In a joint statement with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), the commission said its Investigations and Compliance Department was conducting independent inquiries into the leaders' utterances.
"No individual is above the law where credible allegations of hate speech or ethnic incitement arise," the commission said, adding that it would enforce the law impartially as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls.
Calls for equal treatment
The investigations follow growing political exchanges over alleged ethnic profiling and inflammatory language.
Earlier this week, Health CS Aden Duale declared that he would only honour an NCIC summons if Gachagua was also required to appear before the commission.
"The day you summon Rigathi Gachagua is the day you summon Aden Duale," Duale said, accusing the commission of applying double standards in enforcing hate speech laws.
Responding to that position, Gachagua argued that the commission's latest move was intended to create the impression of balance after criticism over its handling of complaints against government officials.
Focus shifts to service delivery
Despite the controversy, Gachagua also attended the swearing-in of newly elected Ol Kalou MP Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru, where he urged the legislator to move beyond campaign celebrations and focus on serving constituents.
"The celebrations are over. It is now time to work and deliver on the promises made to the people," he told the new MP.
Background
The latest dispute stems from Gachagua's recent "snake and its eggs" analogy, which critics argued could be interpreted as encouraging violence against political opponents. The remarks sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders and civil society, prompting calls for investigations by the NCIC.
The commission's intervention comes amid heightened political temperatures as parties position themselves for the 2027 General Election. In recent months, NCIC has repeatedly warned leaders against using inflammatory or ethnically charged language, saying such rhetoric risks undermining national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
The investigations also follow complaints filed against several politicians across the political divide, with the commission insisting that all cases will be handled independently and in accordance with the law.
