Gov't Warns Gachagua Over Alleged Plan to Oust CJ Martha Koome

The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has issued a warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over statements suggesting that President William Ruto is orchestrating a scheme to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office.

In a notice dated Thursday, February 27, NCIC Chairman Samuel Kobia cautioned Gachagua against making utterances that could undermine peaceful co-existence among ethnic communities.  

"Your allegation that there is a scheme hatched by the President to remove the Chief Justice from Office because of her ethnicity is misleading and meant to promote negative ethnicity and likely to incite feelings of animosity among Kenyans thus undermining the peaceful co-existence," the commission said.

NCIC further took issue with Gachagua’s remarks warning Ruto against visiting Meru County if Chief Justice Koome is removed from office. 

The commission noted that such statements violate the constitutional rights of the President, who has the freedom to visit any part of the country to discharge his duties.

"Your statement warning the President not to set foot in Meru County if the Chief Justice Hon. Martha Koome is removed from office, is a direct violation of the President’s constitutional right as the symbol of national unity to visit any part of the Country to discharge his official duties as the duly and lawfully elected president of the Republic of Kenya," the commission added.

NCIC urged Gachagua to exercise restraint and carefully choose his words, warning against hate speech or advocacy of discrimination.

"Having reviewed the statement/utterances attributed to you, the Commission cautions you to exercise more restraint and choose your words more carefully. Whereas the freedom of speech is guaranteed by our Constitution, you are advised not to engage in utterances that amount to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred based on discrimination," the commission stated.

Additionally, NCIC asked Gachagua to desist from making utterances which are likely to interfere with peace amongst ethnic groups.

"Now therefore, in the interest of national cohesion and unity, we do ask you to desist from such or similar utterances/conduct the particulars of which are best within your knowledge from the date of this notice as they are likely to interfere with peaceful and harmonious co-existence of ethnic groups," the commission concluded.

Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Antubetwe Kiongo Church in Igembe North, Meru County on Sunday, February 23, Gachagua warned Ruto over alleged plans to kick Koome out of office. 

The former Deputy President said Ruto should not set foot in Meru if the alleged plan goes through.

"If you chase our Martha Koome, don't set foot in Meru. You chased Rigathi Gachagua, and the Mt. Kenya people were silent, you thought they were cowards," he said.

Additionally, Gachagua promised to call for protests if the plan is hatched, accusing Ruto of destroying the leadership of the Mt. Kenya Region.

"This is too much now. How do you purge the leadership of an entire community that made you president? If Koome is dismissed and I call for protests, will you come out? We are not going to sit again as Ruto destroys the leadership of Mount Kenya," he added.