Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a sharp criticism of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing the CS of attempting to silence dissent ahead of the Finance Bill 2025.
In a lengthy statement on Monday, June 2, Gachagua, who is arguably the biggest critic of the Kenya Kwanza government, referenced the recent case of Rose Njeri as a classic example of the government's alleged attempts to use fear and intimidation to silence those criticising the bill.
"Rather than embracing dialogue and reforms, the government is escalating its crackdown on dissent, using fear and intimidation to silence those who speak out. Especially as the new Finance Bill approaches," Gachagua claimed.
Njeri was taken into police custody on Sunday, May 30, after she developed an online tool designed to facilitate objections to the Finance Bill.
The activist's apprehension has sparked criticism from Kenyans, with Gachagua now weighing in on Njeri's woes by claiming the government wanted to muffle the young generation's courage.
"This is not just an attack on Rose. It is a continuation of the attack on the youth of this country. It is an attempt to stifle their courage, their innovative spirit, and their belief in the power of their own voices," the former DP went on.
According to Gachagua, the recent apprehension of Rose was just one of the many moves by the government to get the upper hand against its critics. The former DP was also critical of CS Murkomen's recent sentiments on pushing for laws to outlaw faking disappearances.
On May 31, Murkomen responded to overwhelming evidence which suggested that embattled Juja Member of Parliament George Koimburi stage-managed his own disappearance only to resurface days later.
While pointing out that laws pertaining to staged kidnappings were still lacking, the CS urged the National Assembly to move quickly to pass legislation that would hold those responsible for such crimes accountable.
But according to Gachagua, calls by the CS to outlaw fake dissapearances were a calculated move to further stifle the efforts of individuals speaking up against injustice.
“This is not just a policy proposal. It is a calculated move to outlaw victims and those who speak out against injustice,” Gachagua said.
“If the state can so easily lie and dismiss dissapearances as hoaxes and then prosecute those who expose the truth, what recourse remains for the victims and their families?”
The former DP urged the youth to be relentless in their struggle to have their voices heard and demanded Njeri's unconditional release.
