NCIC Orders Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia to Withdraw Threatening Remarks and Apologise

NAIROBI, Kenya — The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has determined that remarks attributed to Mukurweini Member of Parliament John Philip Kaguchia at a political gathering in Kieni, Nyeri County, in August were threatening, coercive and intimidating.

The commission has given Kaguchia seven days to withdraw the statements and issue a public apology.

The determination follows an inquiry into remarks allegedly made on or around August 1, 2026. NCIC said its assessment considered the wording of the remarks, the public setting in which they were made and Kaguchia's position as an elected representative.

According to the certified translation relied upon by the commission, Kaguchia said supporters of “Kasongo” or “Kasongo's people” would be followed and removed from beneath their beds, while also calling for records to be kept of people supporting the political side in question.

NCIC said the remarks created a risk of intimidation, exclusion and potential harm, particularly because they could be acted upon by members of the community.

“The commission considered the actual words, their public setting, the Respondent's influence as an elected MP and listeners' ability to carry out the threatened measures. The calls concerned things that neighbours and other community members could do directly,” NCIC Chairperson Bishop Dr Kepha Nyamweya said in the determination.

Kaguchia challenged translation

Kaguchia appeared before the commission on August 31 accompanied by his lawyers.

His legal team challenged the English translation contained in the summons and asked NCIC to defer its inquiry, citing related criminal proceedings.

The MP declined to make a substantive statement, invoking his right to silence and privilege against self-incrimination.

NCIC said it did not draw any adverse conclusion from his decision to remain silent and instead based its determination on independent evidence.

The matter has also been the subject of criminal proceedings. In August, Kaguchia was released on a KSh250,000 cash bail after being charged with offensive conduct allegedly conducive to a breach of the peace over remarks made in Kieni.

Commission orders apology and peacebuilding measures

As part of its proposed corrective measures, NCIC has directed Kaguchia to issue a public apology in Kikuyu, Kiswahili and English.

The commission has also instructed the lawmaker to organise and fund peacebuilding activities aimed at promoting social cohesion.

“Hon Kaguchia shall communicate acceptance or proposed variations within seven days from the date of the determination. The Commission will endeavour to conclude settlement discussions within 30 days from that date,” Nyamweya said.

NCIC said it would continue monitoring the matter, including any repetition of the statements, implementation of measures allegedly threatened in the remarks and compliance with any agreed settlement terms.

Political remarks under scrutiny

The NCIC determination comes amid heightened scrutiny of political rhetoric in Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Kaguchia was arrested in early August following remarks at a political rally in Kieni that authorities said warranted investigation. He subsequently maintained that his remarks had been misrepresented and said he was willing to appear before NCIC.

The Law Society of Kenya also opened a review in August into remarks attributed to Kaguchia and another MP, saying publicly available records would be examined to determine whether they amounted to professional misconduct.

The latest NCIC determination does not by itself establish criminal liability. The commission's findings and any related court proceedings remain separate processes governed by their respective legal mandates.

For now, Kaguchia has seven days to respond to NCIC's determination, with the commission indicating that it will seek to conclude settlement discussions within 30 days.