Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Charles Kahariri and the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to be cautious of President William Ruto.
Speaking during an interview on KTN News, Gachagua claimed that the Head of State intended to use Kahariri and Kanja for political gains by manipulating them into backing the government and consequently sparking public uproar.
The former DP, while hitting out at the government, warned the two high-ranking security officials to be cautious and avoid being set up by the President, who, according to him, previously did the same to former Police IG Japhet Koome.
Gachagua accused Ruto of allegedly setting up the former police boss against members of the public during the youth-led anti-government protests in June and July last year, before later coercing him to resign.
“I do not want to advise General Kahariri, but having worked with President William Ruto, I want to tell him to be careful. I saw the way President Ruto set up former IG Japhet Koome. He told him what to say, but when there was too much pressure, he called him and told him to resign,” Gachagua alleged.
“Probably the General has been told to go and say this so that there can be a public backlash, and probably prepare a way for his exit. I am not sure, but let him be careful,” he added.
While cautioning the duo, the former DP questioned the motive behind President Ruto’s decision to travel to the Mt Kenya region in the company of senior police bosses, including IG Kanja.
According to Gachagua, he had never seen the Head of State guarded by high-ranking police bosses, adding that Kanja traveled to the populous region to help the president in his campaigns.
Gachagua’s sentiments come barely five days after IG Kanja came under criticism from a section of Kenyans for allegedly addressing members of the public during Ruto’s development tour in the Mt Kenya region.
Kanja’s remarks were perceived by many as a political rallying call, sparking backlash from Kenyans who accused the police boss of allegedly compromising the National Police Service (NPS).
However, despite the criticism, the government dismissed the allegations, clarifying that the IG was responsible for ensuring public safety and security at presidential events.
“As the head of the National Police Service (NPS), the Inspector General (IG) is mandated to provide security and coordination during presidential functions as provided under section 24 of the National Police Service Act, 2011, which mandates the police to ensure public safety and security, including at events attended by the Head of State,” said Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura.
