Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is under fire from political leaders who have condemned his recent remarks about the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), warning that his utterances are inflammatory and could incite unrest ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on the Obina Show on Friday night, Gachagua said: “If IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there will be no country here. People want change, and they are ready for change. Indeed, they are impatient that two years is too far away.”
The comments have drawn sharp rebuke from political leaders, calling them dangerous and unacceptable.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi dismissed Gachagua’s remarks as reckless and warned that Kenyans are no longer willing to be divided along tribal lines for political gain.
“Beating drums of war or making inciteful utterances is retrogressive. No Kenyan will rise against another because of tribal nonsense,” said Amisi. “Kenyans are not stupid to hack each other just so that leaders can sit at the table to negotiate power-sharing.”
Amisi further emphasized that the call to remove President Ruto from office is not based on ethnic rivalry, but on democratic accountability.
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, whose county was among the hardest hit during the 2007/08 post-election violence, said Gachagua’s statement was deeply irresponsible.
“This is an extremely reckless statement from a so-called leader. Coming from a county that bore the brunt of the post-election violence, this is unacceptable,” said Kihika.
She criticized Gachagua for portraying his potential impeachment as a national crisis, calling it a selfish and dangerous narrative.
“Mr. Gachagua must be called out by all right-thinking Kenyans. He must stop imagining that his impeachment is a reason for the country to burn.”
She echoed the words of the late Prof. George Saitoti, saying, “There comes a time when a country is bigger than an individual. Mr. Gachagua, that time is now.”
