Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday asked Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri to stay out of politics days after his warning over ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants.
While speaking at the consecration of Reverend Harrison Kinyua in Naivasha, Gachagua advised Kahariri and instructed him to “go back to the barracks” and steer clear of politics.
“I would like to tell CDF Kahariri that the military is a respected organisation in this country because it has conducted itself professionally since independence and is the only organisation Kenyans trust,” Gachagua stated.
"Please do not mix politics with the affairs of the military. The work of the military is to protect Kenya from external threats. Do not allow yourself to enter into the affairs of President William Ruto,” he added.
CDF Kahariri sparked debate after commenting on the ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants that have been prevalent in the country since the Gen Z-led June 2024 demonstrations. On Thursday, March 27, Kahariri issued a warning on the chants, urging that they must be done within the confines of the law.
Speaking at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi during a public lecture, Kahariri was joined by National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji in stating that any attempts to transfer power must be made through acceptable means, lest Kenyans risk destroying the country.
"We cannot exercise anarchy, and even as people exercise their rights, it should be within their bounds, within their rights, such that we cannot allow ourselves to exercise our rights to the extent of tearing apart the country," Kahariri stated.
"We, as the military, defend the Constitution and the government of the day, duly elected by the people. So when you decide that you are tired of the government you elected and then you start chanting 'Must Go', 'Must Go', that 'Must Go' must be done according to the Constitution," Kahariri warned.
In the same breadth, Gachagua ‘corrected’ Kahariri on the ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants, noting that it was a “clarion call in preparation for the upcoming 2027 general elections.” This, as per Gachagua, was the main indicator of Ruto’s downfall in the polls.
“The ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants are not said contrary to the Constitution. Ruto will be removed from power as per the Constitution in 2027. So when you hear Kenyans chanting ‘Ruto Must Go’, it is just a rehearsal for 2027,” he opined.
Kenyans have been actively engaging in anti-Ruto campaigns both online and on the streets.
Chants of 'Ruto Must Go' have also been prevalent in social gatherings, including political rallies attended by the president, where Kenyans express their opposition to him and the Kenya Kwanza government.
Authorities have seemingly interpreted these chants and actions as an attempt to remove President Ruto from power.
