Security experts and human rights activists have warned the country’s top national security organs to desist from Kenya’s politics.
This follows Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri and National Intelligence Service Director Noordin Haji’s sentiments about the “Ruto Must Go” campaign.
Even before the dust settled, the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja attended President William Ruto’s political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County.
During the tour, Kanja was allowed time to address where he asked the residents of Kieni if they were happy with President Ruto’s development tour in the restive Mt. Kenya.
According to Philemon Samoei, a security expert and a conflict researcher, involvement of security bosses in politics contravenes the Constitution of Kenya.
“The Ruto Must Go slogan in anyway does not really come on top of the menu in the two security organs,” he said.
Is Chief of Defence Forces allowed to make political statements?
The ex-military officer said the top security chiefs overstepped their Constitutional mandate by commenting on national politics.
“General Kahariri, our CDF and Haji our spy master overstepped their mandate because the spy agency is charged with gathering intelligence. The General needs to know very well that the military is apolitical and he should not be involved in anyway,” Samoei warned.
“They ought to have just consumed that intelligence and shared it with the relevant departments for action,” he added.
Meanwhile, Trans Nzoia-based Human Rights defender Richard Masanja said involvement of security organs in politics breeds mistrust in Kenyan security agencies.
“I am worried that we are heading in the wrong direction. You know our security officers have been trained to obey and execute orders. We ask them to avoid biases at all times by avoiding politics,” Masanja appealed.
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has since demanded for the resignation of IG Kanja for his attendance of a political rally.
However, the National Police Service spokesperson Muchuri Nyaga defended Kanja arguing that his appearance in the rally was purely in line of duty.
