NAIROBI, Kenya – The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has ordered Mukurwe-ini MP John Philip Gichohi Kaguchia to retract and apologise for remarks it found to be “threatening, intimidatory and coercive”, while directing Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku to immediately stop repeating remarks the commission found divisive.
The two determinations were issued by NCIC on Wednesday following inquiries into separate statements made by the leaders during political gatherings in Nyeri and Tharaka-Nithi counties.
NCIC Orders Kaguchia To Retract Remarks
NCIC said Kaguchia made the remarks at a political gathering in Kieni, Nyeri County, on or about August 1, calling on listeners to identify, pursue and socially exclude people because of their political choices.
According to the Commission, a certified translation of Kaguchia’s remarks showed him warning that supporters of “Kasongo” or “Kasongo’s people” would be followed and “removed from beneath their beds”, with records allegedly kept of their supporters.
NCIC said the remarks also called for political supporters to be denied social support during funerals, dowry ceremonies and periods of illness because of their political choices.
“The Commission finds that Hon. John Philip Gichohi Kaguchia’s public utterances were threatening, intimidatory and coercive,” NCIC said.
The Commission said the statements undermined the freedom of citizens to choose political leaders without threats or communal punishment.
“They failed to respect the rights of others and created a real and reasonably foreseeable risk of intimidation, exclusion and harm to peaceful coexistence,” NCIC added.
Kaguchia appeared before NCIC with his advocates on August 31 and challenged the English translation of his remarks.
His lawyers agreed to have the original Kikuyu words read and a translation certificate issued, after which NCIC relied on the certified Kikuyu translation in its determination.
The MP declined to make a substantive statement, citing his right to silence and privilege against self-incrimination in relation to ongoing criminal proceedings.
NCIC said the existence of criminal proceedings did not automatically prevent it from conducting an administrative inquiry and noted that no stay order had been presented.
The Commission has directed Kaguchia to withdraw the remarks and issue a public retraction and apology in Kikuyu, Kiswahili and English.
He must also affirm the right of citizens to support political leaders of their choice without intimidation or exclusion.
Kaguchia has seven days to accept the proposed measures or suggest variations, with NCIC seeking to resolve the matter within 30 days.
NCIC Orders Ruku To Stop Ethnic Generalisations
In a separate determination, NCIC found Public Service CS Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku to have made divisive ethnic remarks during a July 2026 address in Kiang’ondu, Tharaka-Nithi County.
Ruku had alleged that people in Mt Kenya West “thought Kenya belonged to them” and referred to ethnic surnames while questioning disparities in development and public appointments between Mt Kenya West and Mt Kenya East.
NCIC said the remarks went beyond legitimate advocacy for identity and equitable development and amounted to divisive ethnic generalisation and collective blame.
“The remarks undermined equal dignity and harmonious relations and fell below the restraint and responsibility expected of a Cabinet Secretary,” the Commission said.
Ruku has been directed to immediately stop repeating, publishing, endorsing or encouraging the allegations or substantially similar statements.
NCIC said the order did not prevent lawful advocacy on ethnic identity, political criticism or evidence-based demands for equitable development and appointments.
Ruku Defended Remarks Before NCIC
Ruku appeared before the Commission on September 1 and admitted making the remarks.
He argued that the Constitution protects ethnic identities and demands for fair development and public appointments.
He denied harbouring ill will towards Kikuyu people and said his reference to stepping on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s neck until he had no room to “breathe” was political imagery referring to defeat rather than physical injury.
NCIC, however, found that references to Kikuyu people, claims concerning Mt Kenya West and the use of ethnic surnames turned institutional grievances into collective ethnic blame.
The Commission said Ruku was entitled to identify as Mbeere, raise concerns over development and appointments and demand fair treatment, but that such rights did not permit collective blame against another community.
“Every community is entitled to preserve its identity, and every leader may demand fair development and public appointments. The problem was the way those demands were expressed,” NCIC said.
Ruku Given Seven Days To Respond
NCIC has given Ruku seven days to accept its proposed conciliation terms or propose changes.
He must publicly withdraw, in Kiswahili and English, allegations that Kikuyu people regard Kenya as their property or are collectively responsible for unequal development and public appointments.
The withdrawal must be issued jointly with, or approved by, NCIC.
Ruku must also affirm equal citizenship and dignity for all communities while recognising their right to preserve distinct identities.
The CS has further been directed to participate in discussions on verified disparities and institutional remedies and take part in a Commission-led dialogue on equitable development and inclusive appointments.
NCIC also ordered an audit of ethnic diversity in national public establishments.
The Commission cited Section 7, which requires public establishments to seek to represent Kenya’s diversity and prohibits more than one-third of staff from belonging to one ethnic community, alongside Article 232 of the Constitution on equal opportunities for all ethnic groups in public service.
Official staffing and appointment records will be used for the audit, with data requests to be issued within seven days.
NCIC Recognises Ruku’s Reconciliation Efforts
The Commission acknowledged Ruku’s reconciliation efforts, including the public return of a symbolic axe and acceptance of a flywhisk on September 19 and an announced peace caravan on September 22.
NCIC described the actions as first steps but said they did not erase its findings.
Ruku has been directed to develop the peace caravan with NCIC as a non-partisan initiative involving communities from Mt Kenya East and West.
He must also organise and fund a restorative peacebuilding and cohesion activity at his own reasonable cost.
NCIC said that if conciliation fails or agreed measures are materially unimplemented, it may take further lawful action.
The Commission will also monitor public messaging and implementation of the measures for 12 months.
“The findings and immediate cessation notice do not depend on acceptance of conciliation. The full determination sets out the reasons, directions and right to seek judicial review,” NCIC said.
