National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has launched a blistering attack on leaders allied to Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, defending the arrest of Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia and accusing them of legitimising ethnic incitement for political gain.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ichung’wah warned that Kenya must not slide back into the era of divisive tribal politics, urging community elders to reject politicians who thrive on ethnic rhetoric.
“Nitawaomba wazee wetu wa mtaa msikubali wale wakabila wanaotaka kuturudisha nyuma kwa siasa za ukabila waharibu nchi yetu kwa siasa potovu,” he said.
His remarks come barely a day after Kaguchia was arrested outside Royal Media Services over alleged threatening political remarks.
The arrest sparked sharp criticism from Gachagua and other DCP leaders, who have accused the government of targeting opposition voices.
Without naming Kaguchia directly, Ichung’wah referenced recent remarks allegedly directed at voters in Kieni, saying leaders who issue threats based on political affiliation should face the full force of the law.
“Nimesikia juzi mwingine akisema wenye watachagua Ruto huko Kieni watatafutwa chini ya vitanda. Huyo ni shetani wa ukabila ambaye lazima ashindwe,” he declared.
The Kikuyu MP then turned his guns on politicians who have defended Kaguchia following his arrest, saying true leadership demands condemning inflammatory statements instead of politicising criminal investigations.
“Kiongozi akisema jambo ambalo linaweza kuleta vurugu nchini, usisimame kumtetea. Hatua ya kisheria imechukuliwa kwa sababu ya matamshi yanayoweza kuhatarisha amani ya nchi,” he said.
Ichung’wah accused some leaders of seeking political mileage by defending individuals under investigation.
“If you’re a true leader, you should not be talking about the arrest of people who are perpetuating criminality and endangering the lives of other Kenyans. You should be condemning them. Shame on you if you cannot condemn them. All you can do is seek cheap political capital,” he said.
Although he did not mention Gachagua by name, the remarks were widely interpreted as a response to the former Deputy President and his allies, who have publicly criticised Kaguchia’s arrest and described it as political persecution.
The latest exchange underscores the deepening political rivalry between President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration and Gachagua’s camp, with both sides increasingly trading accusations over incitement, political intimidation and the state of democracy as the race to the 2027 General Election gathers momentum.
