Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) of acting on instructions from President William Ruto's administration, claiming the agency is being used to shield senior government officials from accountability while targeting opposition leaders.
In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, Gachagua alleged that the commission's decision to investigate him was a diversionary tactic following public backlash over remarks made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who recently referred to people from the Mt. Kenya region as "hyenas."
"Mr. Aden Duale, sent by his master William Ruto, made a scathing attack on the people from Mt. Kenya, calling them hyenas. This, however, isn't the first time he has done so, but this time he flew too far, too high near the sun and his feathers have melted," Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President said Duale had been summoned by the NCIC to explain his remarks but declined to honour the summons unless Gachagua was also investigated over alleged tribal remarks and hate speech.
"He irrationally argued that he would not honour the summons unless Rigathi Gachagua was also summoned over allegations of unspecified tribal remarks and hate speech," Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, the controversy surrounding Duale's comments had become politically damaging for the government, prompting what he described as a coordinated effort to shift public attention.
"Mr. Duale's remarks have caused outrage in the country and backfired so badly that they have become a political disadvantage. To deflect attention from the outrage his remarks have caused, the NCIC has been directed to purport to investigate Rigathi Gachagua," he said.
The former Deputy President questioned the independence of the commission, arguing that it had become an extension of the Executive rather than an impartial constitutional body.
"It is clear that the NCIC is an appendage of the Government and not the independent commission that it ought to be; as such, it should be treated with the contempt it deserves," he said.
Maintaining that his public statements have always been factual, Gachagua said he was prepared to defend them in court should anyone believe they had been wronged.
"My remarks to the country, as always, are truthful, factual and authentic; if, in any way, anyone is aggrieved, which is rare, I invite them to file suit in the courts of law," he said.
He vowed to continue criticizing President Ruto's administration despite the investigations.
"I shall continue calling out Mr. William Ruto and his surrogates; a compromised NCIC will not stop me, not even for a minute. The people of Kenya are entitled to the truth, and their liberation is unstoppable," Gachagua said.
He concluded his statement with a political rallying call ahead of the next General Election.
"We march for Kenya and for Truth towards 10th August 2027."
NCIC investigations
The statement comes after the NCIC announced investigations into Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and several other political leaders over remarks the commission says could amount to hate speech or ethnic incitement.
The commission has maintained that the investigations are independent and are intended to enforce the law equally as the country heads toward the 2027 General Election. It has urged political leaders to exercise restraint and avoid statements that could undermine national cohesion.
Background
Tensions between Gachagua and the Kenya Kwanza administration have escalated in recent months following his exit from government and his emergence as one of President William Ruto's fiercest critics. The former Deputy President has embarked on a series of political rallies across the country, accusing the administration of betraying Kenyans and marginalizing the Mt. Kenya region.
The latest dispute stems from inflammatory political exchanges involving senior leaders, with the NCIC intensifying scrutiny of public statements amid concerns over rising political temperatures. The commission has repeatedly warned that leaders found culpable of hate speech or ethnic incitement could face legal action as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
NCIC has not publicly responded to Gachagua's latest accusations against the commission.
