The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a series of remarks the commission says could amount to hate speech and ethnic incitement.
In a summons issued to Gachagua in his capacity as former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, NCIC said it was investigating utterances he allegedly made at public gatherings in different parts of the country.
The commission in a statement released on Tuesday, August 18 said the investigations were being conducted under Sections 27, 29 and 63C as read with Section 63E of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
NCIC said its mandate includes promoting national unity and peaceful relations between communities while guarding against negative ethnicity, racism, religious intolerance and hate speech.
The commission cited four separate incidents involving Gachagua, including remarks made in Vihiga, Kisii and Meru.
Vihiga remarks
NCIC said that on June 12, 2026, during a public rally in Luanda, Vihiga County, Gachagua made remarks referring to the Western Kenya community and an individual identified as "Kasongo."
According to the commission, Gachagua said: "Na macuzo sisi si ni macousin? si sisi ni familia moja?" He subsequently told the person he was addressing to "enda utafute macousin yako huko Sudan," according to the summons.
NCIC said the remarks formed part of the utterances under investigation.
Kisii remarks targeting MP
The commission also cited remarks allegedly made by Gachagua at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County on February 23, 2026, while addressing supporters in reference to Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda.
NCIC quoted Gachagua as calling on residents to help former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i "kufukuza wasaliti ya jamii ya Wakisii."
He also allegedly referred to Jhanda as "yule muhindi mlichagua hapa kama mjumbe," before asking the crowd whether he should leave. The commission included the remarks among the incidents it is investigating.
'Kill the snake and its eggs'
Some of the most prominent remarks cited by NCIC were made during Gachagua's tour of Meru between July 25 and July 28. Gachagua was accused of previously using the phrase "kuua nyoka pamoja na mayai" while discussing President William Ruto and his supporters.
Explaining the meaning of the statement, NCIC quoted him as saying: "Kumuua nyoka ni kufukuza William Ruto kwa kura, kuua mayai ni kufukuza wafuasi wake wote kwa kura."
Gachagua further argued that the remarks should not be interpreted as hate speech because he was using symbolism and figurative language. "Sisi tuseme hatuna hate speech sisi tunatumia figurative language na sisi ni wanafunzi wa literature," he said, according to the summons.
He also told the commission that if it required an explanation, he would respond to a formal letter.
Claims of targeting Mount Kenya leaders
NCIC further cited an extended speech in Meru in which Gachagua accused President Ruto of targeting leaders and businesses associated with the Mount Kenya region.
He alleged that Ruto had begun by removing him from government before turning his attention to other leaders, including former Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and Chief Justice Martha Koome.
According to NCIC, Gachagua told residents that if Koome was removed, President Ruto should not return to Meru.
He also called on residents to reject leaders he described as having betrayed the community. "This community called the Mount Kenya region will deal with traitors for the next 50 years," Gachagua said, according to the commission.
He further warned that those who had allegedly "sold" the community would be dealt with politically.
NCIC said the remarks, together with the other statements cited in the summons, are the subject of ongoing investigations. The commission however outlined that it has not, through the summons, established that Gachagua committed an offence and that the document represents allegations and statements being investigated by the statutory body.
Summons & Consequences
Nonetheless, Gachagua has been directed to appear before the commission at its offices in Britam Towers, Upper Hill, Nairobi, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at 2pm to provide information and assist with the ongoing investigations.
The summons cautions that failure to honour the directive in person could lead to the issuance of an arrest warrant to compel his appearance before the commission.
It further warns that non-compliance could expose the former Deputy President to criminal proceedings and/or contempt proceedings.
The NCIC is empowered under the National Cohesion and Integration Act to investigate and take action over conduct that may promote ethnic discrimination, hostility or hate speech.
Gachagua has previously defended his use of strong political language, particularly the "snake and eggs" metaphor, as political symbolism rather than a call for physical violence.
