Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his controversial "kuua nyoka na mayai yake" (kill the snake and its eggs) remarks, claiming they were purely figurative political language and not an incitement to violence.
His response comes after the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) announced it had launched investigations into the remarks to determine whether they amount to hate speech or ethnic incitement.
Speaking at a public event in Meru, Gachagua dismissed claims that his comments advocated violence, saying they were intended to convey the opposition's resolve to remove President William Ruto and his allies from office through the ballot in the 2027 General Election.
"Yesterday, I said we will kill the snake and its eggs and I have seen NCIC commissioners being pushed to ask us to explain ourselves," Gachagua said.
"Let me be clear, we do not have hate speech. We use figurative language because we are literature students."
He claimed that the "snake" referred to President Ruto, while the "eggs" symbolised the President's political followers, insisting that both references related solely to the democratic electoral process.
"Killing the snake is sending William Ruto home at the ballot. Killing the eggs is sending home all his followers, also at the ballot," he said.
"That is what we mean. So if NCIC wants an explanation, write to me, and I will respond to your queries."
Gachagua maintained that figurative expressions, symbolism and proverbs are common forms of political communication and should not be interpreted literally.
"We speak in figurative language. We speak in proverbs, symbolism and figurative language for effective communication," he said.
The former Deputy President's remarks have attracted public attention following NCIC's decision to open investigations into several political leaders and public figures over recent statements that the commission says could undermine national cohesion.
In a joint statement issued with the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), the commission said it is independently investigating utterances attributed to Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and eight other individuals.
According to the commission, the investigations seek to establish whether the remarks made by the individuals amount to hate speech, ethnic incitement or other offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
NCIC stressed that the inquiries are being conducted independently and in accordance with the law.
"These investigations are being undertaken strictly in accordance with due process and the law. No individual, regardless of office or standing, is beyond the reach of the law where credible allegations of hate speech or ethnic incitement arise," the commission said.
The commission also emphasised that all those under investigation remain innocent unless and until evidence establishes otherwise.
