Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sherrif Nassir on Thursday slammed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following the latter’s controversial remarks on National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji.
In a press statement, Abdulswamad accused the DP of exposing the nation, the presidency, and the country’s security agencies to ridicule, ethnic division, and potential exploitation.
According to the Governor, Gachagua's scathing remarks only served to fuel confusion and public anger, especially at a time when the young generation has lost faith in the direction the country is moving.
The governor went ahead to warn the Deputy President against casually discussing sensitive security matters in public despite being a member of the National Security Council.
“H. E Rigathi Gachagua has chosen to publicly prosecute national security issues in the public domain, degenerating into personal attacks against Noordin Haji,” Governor Abdulswamad stated.
"These unbecoming utterances go against the solemn oath that Mr. Gachagua took."
Gachagua was also blamed for being part of the failed Finance Bill 2024 and orchestrating the current political unrest in the country.
Abdulswamad further accused the DP of attempting to use the NIS Director as a scapegoat following his fallout with his Kenya Kwanza partners.
"Gachagua cannot claim ignorance of the public mood regarding over-taxation when he was at the front leading this conversation until his recent political schism with his partners," the governor remarked.
Abdulswamad's sentiments come a day after the Deputy President called for the immediate resignation of NIS boss Noordin Haji.
During his Wednesday evening presser, Gachagua faulted the National Intelligence Service for failing to brief President William Ruto on time about the planned demonstrations witnessed on Tuesday.
“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the President, the government and the people of Kenya," Gachagua alleged.
