Cherargei demands NCIC action against Gachagua over inciteful remarks
By Claude Claude and David Nthua, July 27, 2026Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has asked the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to investigate former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over inciteful remarks against a certain community.
Speaking to the press on Monday, July 27, 2026, said he had written to the commission seeking action against Gachagua.
He argued that describing an ethnic community using such language amounted to profiling and could undermine national cohesion.
“Nimeandikia tume ya NCIC kuchunguza Rigathi Gachagua kwa kusema matamshi ya uchochezi,” Cherargei said.
Cherargei demanded that Gachagua be summoned, investigated and prosecuted if the commission finds that he broke the law.
Cherargei gives NCIC seven-day deadline
Cherargei called on the commission to summon Gachagua within seven to 14 days.
“Tunataka achunguzwe, afunguliwe mashtaka kwa ku-violate NCIC Act na Katiba ya Kenya,” he said.
He argued that Kenya should not tolerate language that could create hostility between communities as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.
“Hatuhitaji viongozi ambao ndimi zao hazina heshima. Zinaleta uchochezi baina ya jamii,” Cherargei said.
The senator described Gachagua as the “chief priest of ethnic profiling” and accused him of repeatedly making divisive political statements.
He said action against the former deputy president would demonstrate that NCIC applies the law equally to government and opposition leaders.
The National Cohesion and Integration Act prohibits ethnic discrimination and provides penalties for threatening or abusive communication intended or likely to stir ethnic hatred.
Senator questions timing of Duale investigation
Cherargei also questioned why NCIC had moved quickly to investigate Duale while, in his view, failing to act on complaints against Gachagua.
“Na hata kabla nimeona NCIC wamekimbilia kwa sababu ya ile public uproar, wamekimbia wakasema wanataka kuchunguza yale matamshi ambaye waziri wa afya amesema.
“Lakini kabla hawajafika huko waanze na Rigathi Gachagua. Ambaye yeye ni kuhani, yeye ni chief priest kwa ethnic profiling katika taifa hili la Kenya.
“Tusipo-deal na kuhani mkuu wa uchochezi hatutakuwa tumeendelea mbele kama taifa hili la Kenya,” Nandi Senator told the media.
NCIC opened an inquiry into Duale’s remarks after receiving a formal complaint.
The commission said it would determine whether the statements breached Article 33 of the Constitution and Sections 13 and 62 of the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
Cherargei maintained that the Duale investigation should not be used selectively.
He said that beginning with Gachagua would help the commission demonstrate fairness and independence as political temperatures rise ahead of the next election.