Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has strongly condemned remarks by his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, that warned of possible post-election violence in 2027 if the polls are not managed fairly. In a firm and unequivocal statement, Kindiki assured Kenyans that the country would not revisit the dark days of the 2007/2008 post-election chaos.
While Kindiki did not mention Gachagua by name, his message was clearly aimed at the former Deputy President, who, in a recent interview, claimed that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 elections would trigger violence “worse than 2007.” Gachagua had stated, “2007 will look like a Christmas party,” warning the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against allegedly attempting to impose President William Ruto on the electorate.
Reacting on his official X account on Saturday, May 17, Kindiki dismissed the “fear-mongering” and “vengeful” tone of such comments, stating that Kenya has moved past political violence and is now focused on progressive leadership.
“Kenya will never return to political violence. Not in 2027, not at any other time in the future. Our country learned hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence. Never again,” Kindiki wrote. He reiterated that national discourse should now centre on transformative ideas, not threats.
Kindiki further emphasized that Kenyans today are more politically mature and will prioritize leaders who offer solutions to the country’s challenges, rather than those who incite fear. “The debate cannot be about the fear-mongering of desperate, vengeful, thoughtless, and pretentious leaders,” he said.
Gachagua’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism across the political divide. Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi labelled them as “careless” and “reckless,” warning that such rhetoric only serves to destabilize the country ahead of a critical electoral period.
As Kenya edges closer to the 2027 elections, leaders like Kindiki are calling for sober political engagement, urging politicians to embrace peaceful dialogue and put the country’s stability first. The painful memory of 2007, they insist, should never be repeated.
