Sunday 18th May, 2025 12:31 PM|

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has strongly rebuked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks suggesting potential violence in the 2027 elections, asserting that Kenya will not return to the dark days of political violence.

In a strongly worded statement on his X account on May 17, 2025, Kindiki reassured Kenyans that the government will safeguard peace and stability ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Kenya will never return to political violence. Not in 2027, not at any other time in future,” he declared.

In a veiled attack on Gachagua, Kindiki expressed that the nation will not tolerate leaders who use fear and divisive tactics for political gain, emphasising that Kenya had paid a heavy price for political instability during the 2007/2008 post-election period.

He vowed that such a tragedy would not be repeated under his watch.

“Our country learnt hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence. Never again,” he stated.

Kindiki stressed that political discourse in Kenya should now centre on development agendas rather than divisive rhetoric.

“Henceforth, Kenya’s leadership contests will revolve around who has better ideas to transform the country. The debate cannot be about the fear-mongering of desperate, vengeful, thoughtless and pretentious leaders,” he stated.

Kenya will never return to political violence.

Not in 2027, not at any other time in future.

Our country learnt hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post election violence.

Never again.

Henceforth, Kenya’s leadership contests will revolve around who has better ideas…

— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) May 17, 2025

Kindiki’s remarks come after Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen also condemned Gachagua’s statements, warning that such utterances could lead to Gachagua’s disqualification from seeking public office in the upcoming elections.

Speaking in Trans Nzoia County on May 17, 2025, Murkomen expressed his disappointment over Gachagua’s comments, stating that his implying that the next election could be more violent than the 2007-2008 crisis was reckless.

“I am disappointed that a leader who once held a senior office in this country is telling Kenyans that the 2027 elections will be more violent than 2007-2008. That kind of statement alone is enough to bar that person from holding any public office—forget impeachment and the rest,” Murkomen said.

Like Kindiki, Murkomen too offered firm assurances that the current administration would not tolerate any form of incitement to violence.

“I want to assure the people of Trans Nzoia—I know here we have all tribes, all religions, all nationalities. We will not allow our country to ever return to any form of violence. Never again. That is impossible. Not when Kipchumba is the Minister of Security. Not when William Ruto is the President of Kenya,” he affirmed.

The Cabinet Secretary called on security agencies to take immediate action against anyone found planning or inciting violence, regardless of their political affiliation.

“Any person who attempts, together with the County Commissioner and the county security team—anyone holding any meeting, even if it’s at night, with the intention of causing violence, do not spare them,” he urged.