The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has issued a strong warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over statements that promote tribal supremacy and could stoke ethnic tensions in Kenya. Gachagua, speaking in Meru County, made remarks that sought to portray the GEMA community as central to Kenya’s political power structure. However, this rhetoric, which has been used by various leaders over the years, has historically worked against the very community it aims to elevate.
The politics of ethnic dominance has long been a double-edged sword. While it may offer short-term political advantages, in the long run, it exposes communities to resentment, isolation, and even violent reprisals. The Kikuyu community, which has been at the center of Kenya’s political history, has often borne the brunt of this backlash. Decades of tribal-based politicking have led to cycles of alienation and, at times, outright hostility toward Kikuyu traders, farmers, and businesspeople across the country.
Gachagua’s recent remarks, warning President William Ruto against visiting Meru if Chief Justice Martha Koome is removed from office, are just another instance of a dangerous political narrative. NCIC Chairperson Dr. Samuel Kobia condemned the statement, emphasizing that such utterances threaten national unity and could fuel unnecessary ethnic divisions. According to NCIC, Gachagua’s claim that the president is targeting Koome due to her ethnicity is misleading and an attempt to incite animosity between communities.
History has repeatedly shown that tribal politics does not serve as a shield; rather, it turns into a weapon that ultimately harms those it seeks to protect. Every time a political shift occurs, those who had been championing ethnic dominance find themselves in precarious positions, exposed to political and economic instability. The notion that one community must be at the center of national leadership is not only outdated but also dangerous in a nation as diverse and interconnected as Kenya.
The Kikuyu community has not thrived because of GEMA’s political maneuvering; they have prospered due to their resilience, adaptability, and strong entrepreneurial spirit. Across Kenya, in Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, and even Garissa, Kikuyus have built businesses, integrated with other communities, and contributed immensely to national development. Their survival does not depend on ethnic supremacy but on a stable and inclusive Kenya where all communities can coexist peacefully.
NCIC’s warning to Gachagua highlights the importance of responsible leadership. In a nation that has suffered from ethnic violence in the past, leaders must be cautious with their words. Promoting divisive narratives not only isolates a community but also places it in harm’s way. Kenya’s history is littered with examples of how political rhetoric can escalate into real violence, as seen in the post-election clashes of 2007-2008 and other periods of ethnic unrest.
The commission further noted that Gachagua’s remarks were a direct violation of the president’s constitutional right to move freely across the country as a symbol of national unity. Such statements, NCIC emphasized, undermine the constitutional order and the principles of democracy that Kenya strives to uphold. Leaders must recognize that Kenya belongs to all its citizens, regardless of tribe, and that no single community has an inherent right to dominate national affairs.
Kenya is too fragile for tribal politics to keep resurfacing. The idea that formations like GEMA or KAMATUSA serve as shields for their communities is a falsehood; they have historically been tools for political manipulation, used by leaders to secure personal power while exposing their people to risks. The sooner leaders abandon this divisive strategy, the safer and more prosperous Kenya will become for all.
As NCIC continues to monitor political discourse, it remains clear that tribal supremacy narratives belong in the past. Kenya’s progress lies in unity, mutual respect, and an inclusive national identity. The country’s leadership must shift away from old tribal loyalties and embrace a future where every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, has equal opportunities to succeed.
Gachagua and other leaders who seek to rally communities behind ethnic entitlement must learn from history: tribal dominance has never been a guarantee of security or prosperity. Only a united Kenya, where leadership is based on merit and inclusivity, can ensure lasting peace and development for all its people.
