The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has determined that remarks made by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku at Kiang’ondu in Tharaka Nithi County in July 2026 were divisive.

The Commission, in a determination on Wednesday, 7 th October 2026, determined that the remarks went beyond legitimate advocacy for regional identity and equitable development to encompass ethnic generalisations and collective blame.

“The Commission finds that Hon. Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku’s remarks at Kiang’ondu, Tharaka Nithi County, in July 2026 crossed from legitimate advocacy for identity and equitable development into divisive ethnic generalisation and collective blame.”

The remarks, the Commission said, were inconsistent with the principles of equal dignity and fell short of the restraint expected of a Cabinet Secretary. NCIC has directed Ruku to cease repeating, publishing, endorsing or promoting the divisive remarks and generalisations. It has also recommended that Ruku withdraw the remarks in both English and Kiswahili. Ruku has seven (7) days to agree to the proposed settlement terms or propose amendments.

Ruku had defended his remarks when answering charges before NCIC on 1 st September 2026, saying they were made in the context of concern about the political representation and development of Mt Kenya East.

“We had a very cordial and good discussions this morning with the entire commission and we have clarified where we needed to clarify and we are moving in a very good direction,” he said.

NCIC said it had examined the recording of the remarks, a transcript of the speech, Ruku’s explanations and legal submissions before taking its decision.

The Commission also rejected Ruku’s comparison between himself and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom it said it appreciated used figurative speech, but his remarks, like those of his predecessor, demanded more restraint from a senior public official.

NCIC has further directed that an ethnic diversity audit of national public institutions be effected to establish the extent of compliance with the Constitution’s provisions on representation. It said the ethnic diversity audit would be based on objective staffing and appointment records rather than subjective assessments based on surname analysis.

In addition to ordering Ruku to withdraw divisive remarks and report on identified inequalities confronting public appointments and development in Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, the Commission has directed that he engages in a peace and social cohesion programme with communities from Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West.

While NCIC welcomed Ruku’s subsequent efforts at reconciliation, it said they were irrelevant to its jurisdiction and findings regarding his divisive July remarks.