Eldoret Human Rights Activist Condemns Gachagua’s Remarks, Warns Against Ethnic Incitement

An Eldoret-based human rights activist has strongly condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over what he terms as continuous provocation, hate speech, and malicious campaigns targeting the Head of State, the Kalenjin community, and the unity of the country.

Speaking in Eldoret, Kipkorir Ngetich expressed deep concern over Mr. Gachagua’s recent remarks, particularly those allegedly made during his visits to the Mt Kenya region, where he has been on record accusing the President of grave crimes, including murder and orchestrating attacks on civilians. Ngetich described such statements as dangerous, reckless, and amounting to warmongering of the highest order.

“These utterances are not only irresponsible but also deeply inflammatory. They reopen painful wounds from our dark history and risk pushing the country back to the ethnic animosity witnessed in 1992, 1997, and 2007,” Ngetich said.

He noted that Kenya is a lawful nation and emphasized that if Mr. Gachagua has any evidence to support his claims, he should present it to the relevant law enforcement agencies instead of resorting to public blackmail, intimidation, and incitement.

“No one is above the law. Mr. Gachagua is not too big to be held accountable by the state. His loose and reckless talk should not be mistaken for bravery or popularity,” he added.

The activist further called upon leaders within the United Opposition, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, and Martha Karua, to publicly dissociate themselves from what he termed as Mr. Gachagua’s primitive and irresponsible utterances. He also urged the Kikuyu Council of Elders to come out clearly and condemn statements that risk isolating the Kikuyu community from the rest of the nation.

“As a country, we cannot allow an individual to fan ethnic hatred and attempt to pit communities against each other for personal political gain. The intention to provoke conflict between Kikuyu and Kalenjin communities is evident and must be rejected outright,” Ngetich warned.

He reiterated that democracy and freedom of expression do not grant anyone the right to incite violence, promote hatred, or undermine national cohesion. According to him, the President has chosen the path of peace, development, and unity, and his silence should not be misinterpreted as weakness.

“The President, his family, and his community feel the pain of these attacks, but he has chosen Kenya over personal retaliation. The Kalenjin community remains deeply disturbed, yet firmly committed to peace, stability, and national cohesion,” he said.

Ngetich cautioned Kenyans against embracing what he described as the emergence of a revenge-driven and authoritarian political character, warning that such leadership poses a serious threat to democracy and coexistence.

He also accused Mr. Gachagua of pretending to defend the Mt Kenya community while, in reality, isolating it from other Kenyans and endangering those living outside the region.

Finally, the activist called on the government to closely monitor and, where necessary, sanction churches and religious leaders who provide platforms for political incitement.

“Places of worship should be sanctuaries of peace and moral guidance, not platforms for insults, hate speech, and attacks on the Head of State,” Ngetich concluded.