‘2007 Will Be Like A Christmas Party’: Gachagua Urges IEBC to Respect Voters’ Will, Warns of Potential PEV in 2027

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has cautioned that any attempt to manipulate the 2027 presidential election results could trigger civil unrest surpassing the 2007 post-election violence.

Speaking from his Wamunyoro home on Friday, Gachagua directly addressed incoming Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners, urging them to prioritize patriotism over political allegiance.

“I want to implore those commissioners to be Kenyans, to be patriotic, and not to attempt to force William Ruto on the people of Kenya. It will not work, and the people of Kenya will not accept it,” Gachagua stated.

In his most pointed comment, Gachagua referenced Kenya’s darkest electoral chapter, warning that “if the IEBC tries to mess with the elections, there would be no country here; 2007 would look like a Christmas party.”

The 2007-2008 post-election violence claimed over 1,100 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands after disputed results between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga.

The Gen Z factor

Gen Z protests in Kenya.

Gachagua highlighted what he describes as an “unstoppable” Gen Z movement that could determine President Ruto’s fate in the upcoming election.

“This Gen Z group is lethal; this group is not tribal, cannot be compromised, cannot be bribed with Ksh200,” Gachagua observed, adding that young voters are actively obtaining identification cards to register as voters.

The former deputy president, who has launched his Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), appears to be positioning himself as a challenger by consolidating support in the Mount Kenya region while seeking alliances with opposition leaders.

President William Ruto, while touring development projects at the coast, seemed to respond indirectly to the political tension by calling for a focus on governance rather than campaigning.

“When the time for campaigns begins, all of you will determine because you are the masters of voting,” Ruto said at the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme.

“People shall be voted in or out based on the work they have done for you and not the number of insults spewed.”

The president emphasized that the current period should be dedicated to development, stating, “During that time, we shall engage in a political contest, but for now, let us focus on delivering on our mandate.”

With two years remaining before the next presidential election, the exchange signals an early start to what could be a contentious electoral period in Kenya’s democratic journey.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​