Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika on Saturday, May 17, 2025, strongly rebuked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his comments on post-election violence.

Kihika condemned Gachagua’s sentiments, terming them reckless. The first time, the county boss explained that Nakuru bore the brunt of the 2007/08 post-election violence, and she would not accept the country to slide in that direction again.

She hit at the former DP, maintaining that his impeachment was not a national crisis.

“This is an extremely reckless statement from a so-called leader. Coming from a County that bore the brunt of the 2007/8 post post-election violence, this is Unacceptable. Mr Gachagua must be called out by all right-thinking Kenyans and he must stop imagining that his impeachment is a national crisis for which the Country should burn,” Kihika’s statement read in part.

“In the words of Prof George Saitoti, ‘there comes a time when a Country is bigger than an individual.’ Mr Gachagua, that time is NOW!” she asserted.

Gachagua’s warning

Speaking in an interview on Friday, May 16, 2025, Gachagua warned the IEBC commissioners against overturning the people’s will in the 2027 polls.

He argued that any attempts to manipulate the poll results would not be received lightly.

“I want to implore those commissioners to be Kenyans, to be patriotic, and not to attempt to force William Ruto on the people of Kenya. It will not work, and the people of Kenya will not accept it,” Gachagua said.

“People want change, and they are ready for change; indeed, they are impatient that 2027 is too far away. The mood in the country is that if the IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there would be no country here; 2007 would look like a Christmas party,” he warned.

Sudi reprimands him

Kihika’s sentiments came hours after Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi castigated the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) party leader against making remarks that would reopen the already healed wounds.

“Wamunyoro, please don’t talk about 2007/2008. It seems you don’t know what you are saying. Watu wetu walipitia mambo ambayo hayatawahi rudiwa katika taifa la Kenya. Omba kura, tafuta namna yoyote, tusi William Ruto, tusi Oscar Sudi, tusi Kimani Ichung’wa, tusi everybody, lakini usiongee mambo ya 2007/2008. You are becoming too reckless, yaani unaongea vitu zingine za ajabu sana. You are not a leader,” Sudi said.