Martha Karua Responds Firmly to Gachagua’s Election Violence Remarks
Her remarks come in response to Gachagua’s controversial statement made during an interview on Obinna TV on May 16, where he warned that:
Former Azimio La Umoja Principal Martha Karaua. Photo/The Star Kenya.
By Robert Assad
Veteran politician and former Azimio la Umoja principal Martha Karua has sharply condemned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent remarks suggesting Kenya could face worse post-election violence in 2027 than in 2007.
Speaking during a public forum, Karua dismissed Gachagua’s comments as reckless and provocative, urging the Kenya Kwanza administration to focus on strengthening electoral systems instead of entertaining fears of manipulation.
“If the Kenya Kwanza regime is certain that they will run good elections, they should not be worried about what Rigathi Gachagua said. They should be cleaning up the system to ensure free and fair elections and to eradicate election-related violence in Kenya forever,” Karua stated.
Her remarks come in response to Gachagua’s controversial statement made during an interview on Obinna TV on May 16, where he warned that:
“If the IEBC plays monkey tricks and rigs the elections in favour of William Samoei Ruto, 2007 will be like a Christmas Party.”
Gachagua added that the prevailing political mood in the country could lead to chaos if elections are mishandled:
“With the mood in the country, if IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there will be no country here.”
Karua’s condemnation reflects growing concern over the return of inflammatory rhetoric reminiscent of Kenya’s darkest political chapter. The 2007-2008 post-election violence claimed over 1,100 lives, displaced more than 600,000 people, and remains a painful scar on the nation’s democratic history.
Kenya’s political leaders and civil society continue to call for responsible conduct ahead of the 2027 general elections to avoid a repeat of past tragedies.
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