Kimani Ngunjiri Slams Gachagua’s ‘Christmas Party’ Remark on 2007 Violence as Insensitive and Dangerous
Gachagua’s statements, made during an interview on Obinna TV on May 16, have sparked national outrage and reopened old wounds in a country still scarred by the deadly events of 2007–2008.
Former Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri. Photo/Citizen Digital.
By Robert Assad
Former Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri has strongly condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s inflammatory remarks comparing the 2007 post-election violence to a “Christmas party.”
Gachagua’s statements, made during an interview on Obinna TV on May 16, have sparked national outrage and reopened old wounds in a country still scarred by the deadly events of 2007–2008.
In his interview, Gachagua warned that if the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) “plays monkey tricks” and rigs the 2027 elections in favour of President William Ruto, the country would witness violence worse than in 2007. He said:
“With the mood in the country, if IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there will be no country here. I want to tell you that 2007 will look like a Christmas party.”
Reacting swiftly, Kimani Ngunjiri blasted the remarks as dangerous, insensitive, and politically reckless—especially for communities in the Rift Valley that bore the brunt of the 2007 chaos.
“To say that 2007 was like a Christmas party is insidious and deeply hurtful. That is pure political nonsense. People lost lives, property was torched, and families were torn apart. We still carry those scars,” Ngunjiri stated during a media briefing in Nakuru.
The 2007–2008 post-election violence claimed over 1,100 lives and displaced more than 600,000 people, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and multiple international agencies, including Human Rights Watch.
The violence was triggered by contested presidential election results and quickly escalated into ethnic clashes, particularly in Rift Valley, Nairobi, and parts of Nyanza and Western Kenya.
He further accused Gachagua of turning against his own Mt. Kenya community and sowing discord within the political ranks, calling for respect, sobriety, and responsible leadership ahead of the 2027 polls.
“He is attacking his own people and the whole country. That will not work. If you hope to lead, respect the people. Real leaders guide others to safety—not to turmoil.”
Ngunjiri concluded by urging political leaders to uphold peace and democratic values, warning that such inflammatory language could provoke unrest in an already fragile political climate.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has previously warned that hate speech and incitement remain key threats to Kenya’s stability, particularly during election seasons.
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