Members of Parliament are calling for the immediate arrest of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing recent remarks he made during a media interview that they say could stoke ethnic tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The debate, which unfolded in the National Assembly on Tuesday, was sparked by a motion tabled by Minority Leader Junet Mohammed. He argued that Gachagua’s comments posed a significant threat to national cohesion and peace, particularly in volatile regions of the country.
During the heated session, MPs accused Gachagua—now the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party—of using inflammatory language that could incite division and potentially trigger violence.
They warned that unless swift action is taken, his utterances may set a dangerous precedent as the country heads into a politically charged election period.”Such reckless rhetoric must not go unpunished,” Junet asserted. “We cannot allow individuals, no matter how prominent, to incite communities and threaten our hard-earned peace.”
Lawmakers further urged the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action, including compelling Gachagua to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) for questioning.
They emphasized that the rule of law must be upheld and that no individual should be seen as above accountability. The NCIC, mandated to promote national unity and prevent discrimination, is already said to be investigating the remarks in question.
The former Deputy President has yet to respond to the calls for his arrest or the summons by the NCIC. However, political analysts warn that the move by MPs could deepen political tensions and polarize debate ahead of the 2027 elections.
As of now, it remains unclear whether law enforcement agencies will act on Parliament’s demands. Meanwhile, public discourse around the issue continues to intensify across political and social platforms.
