Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has declined to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on August 27 over remarks allegedly made at several public events.
In a letter, through his lawyers, Gachagua explained that he would be out of the country from August 26 to October 20 on a foreign trip that had been planned before the commission issued the summons.
“We advise that the aforesaid date is not convenient for His Excellency since he will be out of the country on a pre-planned and widely publicised foreign trip. His Excellency will be out of the Country between 26th August, 2026, and 20th October, 2026,” the letter stated.
Rigathi Gachagua dismisses NCIC summons
NCIC had summoned Gachagua on August 18 to assist with investigations into remarks allegedly made during his tour of Meru County between July 25 and July 28, a June 12 rally in Luanda, Vihiga County, and a February 23 event at Gusii Stadium in Kisii County.
However, Gachagua’s lawyers have disputed the allegations, maintaining that the remarks cited do not amount to offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
According to the lawyers, the remarks did not promote ethnically charged hatred, hostility, violence, or discrimination against any individual or community, questioning NCIC on the basis of the investigation.
Additionally, the legal team challenged the material presented by the commission, arguing that excerpts of the alleged statements do not provide their full context.
The lawyers asked NCIC to supply original audio-visual recordings of the events together with certified transcripts.
They further asked the commission to give precise dates, times and locations for some of the statements, particularly those linked to Gachagua’s Meru tour.
