Gachagua to military boss Kahariri: Keep off politics
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, March 29, faulted the Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri following his comments regarding the “Ruto Must Go” chants that have been going on across the country.
Mr Gachagua, who was speaking at the consecration of Reverend Harrison Kinyua in Naivasha, said that General Kahariri’s comments were in breach of the military code of conduct that requires them to be apolitical.
“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. 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,” Mr Gachagua said.
On Thursday, security chiefs sounded a warning to those scheming regime change via extra-constitutional means at a time "Ruto Must Go!" chants have gained traction in public spaces.
General Kahariri made the comments on Thursday during a public lecture by National Intelligence Service (NIS) Noordin Haji at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi.
“Even as people exercise their rights, we should be within limits and bounds so that we don’t tear our country apart. As military our core value is that we are apolitical. We don’t support any political camp. We defend the Constitution and the government of the day. So, when some people say they are tired with this government, a government they elected on their own and say ‘must go,’ that ‘must go’ must be done according to the Constitution,” CDF Kahariri said.
On Friday, People’s Liberation Party boss Martha Karua also lambasted Gen Kahariri, saying the ‘Ruto Must go’ chants were part of protected free speech.
“General Kahariri can express his concerns, if any, to the National Security Council where he, the Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General - The Chief Legal Advisor of Government is a member. The unusual pronouncements by the two is a step towards partisan meddling with politics of the day,” Ms Karua said.
She lamented that at a time when “our country and region are faced with multiple threats, the least of General Kahariri's worries should be the theatre of political contestation which, as contained in the Constitution, is a legitimate cause.”
Mr Gachagua also waded into the visit of President William Ruto to the Mount Kenya region urging its residents to be cautious regarding the visit by the Head of State.
“We are always telling him the truth and that is why he does not like us. He told us that he is coming to construct the roads, where are the roads that he promised? Let him ask himself why everybody is against him. Regardless of the noise that you make Mr President, all I can tell you is that betrayal has no revenue especially in this region,” he said.
The Head of State is expected to visit the region to launch a series of projects. It will be the first visit after the impeachment of Mr Gachagua.
“If you are going to listen to the lies, ask for a hefty price because lies are a bad thing. Do not accept less money to listen to the lies. President Ruto got your finances in order and brought the money because we elected you for free, the former DP said.”