Kenya's Leadership Divided Over Contentious Finance Bill
Intelligence Chief, Deputy President in War of Words Over Protests
Kenya's Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, and the Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Noordin Haji, have engaged in a war of words over the ongoing protests against the contentious Finance Bill 2024. Gachagua accused Haji of providing misleading information to President William Ruto about the demonstrations, which have resulted in thousands of injuries and at least 23 fatalities.
Haji swiftly responded, denying Gachagua's allegations and defending himself. He stated that Gachagua is not privy to the reports he submits to President Ruto, implying that the Deputy President might be concerned about being implicated in the violent events. Haji's response came after Gachagua called for his resignation, questioning whether he had failed to foresee the protests or neglected to inform the President about the impending danger.
Protesters have given President Ruto an ultimatum to resign, and tensions continue to escalate. The exchange of barbs between Gachagua and Haji has added fuel to the fire, with many wondering what lies ahead for Kenya's political landscape.
Haji sought release in a letter, showing respect for the deputy president's position and aiming to avoid a clash with the current holder.
“But since he has brought my reputation and that of the service into disrepute, I'm constrained to state as here under:
“The NIS DG reports directly to the President as Commander in Chief. The role of the President as CIC has no deputy, so the DP wouldn't know what the service presents to the President in its reports.
“The DP's actions and words suggest that he has a personal interest in the intelligence briefs revolving around the protests. Could it be that he is worried that the NIS may have pinned responsibility at his doorstep?” Haji stated in the letter.
Haji hinted that Gachagua may be secretly working to destabilize Ruto's government, possibly to pave the way for his own takeover.
“It can only mean that the DP's desire is to sabotage the President in the hope that if the President falls, he can benefit from it,” he continued.
Haji additionally warned that the NIS possesses damaging intelligence on Gachagua, which could potentially ruin his political career if made public.
“The DP should be aware that this service has files and extensive information about him that are damaging to him but we have kept it under wraps. We invite him to shed off the DP tag so that this service can show him what a personal fight looks like.
“The men and women who serve the NIS have committed to professionalism, integrity and good ideals. We shall not fall prey to the DP's tribal politics of division, neither will we tailor our intelligence to fit into the DP's power-hungry designs. Whatever his problems are, the NIS is not party to them and he must carry his heavy cross,” the NIS boss added.
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