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Karua tells off military boss: ‘Ruto must go’ chants are part of healthy debate

karua Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri. 

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

By  Justus Ochieng'

People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has called on Parliament to summon the country’s defence leadership over what she describes as an “assault on constitutionalism,” following a warning by Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri against the ‘Ruto must go’ campaign.

She said it is disturbing that the head of an institution “as disciplined as the armed forces should descend into the arena of partisan politics, and purport to direct Kenyans on how far they should exercise their hard-won liberties and rights.”

CDF Kahariri made the comments at the National Intelligence and Research University (NIRU) in Nairobi during an inaugural public lecture by the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji on Thursday.

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“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 co value is that we are apolitical. We don’t support any political camp. We defend the constitution and the government of the day,” Gen Kahariri asserted.

He added: “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.”

But on Friday, Ms Karua insisted that the calls of ‘Ruto Must Go’ are part of a healthy feedback which President William Ruto and his administration must take seriously. 

“They cannot be wished away by indirect threats or intimidation by our esteemed security men, who have no business cautioning, advising or admonishing Kenyans on their very lawful feedback,” the 2022 Azimio presidential running mate charged.

“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.”