NCIC Addresses Summoning Gachagua

NCIC Addresses Summoning Gachagua

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has pushed back against the viral claims circulating on social media that they summoned Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for Citizens party, over supposed inflammatory comments.

The commission labeled these reports as untrue, making it clear that no administrative actions have been taken against the former Deputy President, despite the public outcry and letters sent to the commission.

That said, the NCIC hasn’t provided any clarity on whether Gachagua’s statements should lead to a summons or if they could be classified as hate speech.

On Tuesday, a well-known mall in Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate lodged a formal complaint with the NCIC regarding Gachagua’s comments, which suggested that the mall’s construction was linked to funds from a U.S.-led investigation into the Minnesota fraud case.

The complaint arose from comments that Gachagua allegedly made on January 4 during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina Church, located in Githunguri Constituency, Kiambu County.

Lawyers representing the mall owners claim that Gachagua stated that money stolen in Minnesota, USA, was funneled to Kenya and used to construct the Eastleigh mall.

“Our clients’ property is a lawfully established business, and any suggestion that it is linked to criminal funds is false and damaging,” the lawyers stated in their letter to the NCIC.

They further argued that Gachagua’s remarks repeatedly referenced ethnicity, implying collective culpability of the Somali community. The lawyers said this amounts to ethnic vilification and urged the NCIC to censure Gachagua for his comments.

The complaint called on the NCIC to investigate whether the remarks constituted ethnic contempt or hate speech, to issue a censure, and to recommend prosecution for Gachagua.

These developments led Kalonzo Musyoka, the leader of the Wiper Patriotic Front and an ally of Ruto, to speak out about the controversy on Wednesday, following allegations that Gachagua was targeting the Somali community with his comments.

While attending the funeral of the late Muhia Njoroge, the father of Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, on January 7, Kalonzo expressed that the united opposition stands firmly with the Somali community.

He emphasized that the opposition is dedicated to promoting true unity in Kenya, pushing back against claims that have arisen in the wake of Gachagua’s statements.

In the meantime, despite previous complaints regarding Gachagua’s behavior, the commission has not yet taken any formal action against him, with past grievances only leading to warning letters.

In response, politicians who support Gachagua have criticized the NCIC, claiming it is selectively enforcing its mandate and urging the commission to act fairly.

NCIC Addresses Summoning Gachagua