By Peter Ochieng
Hecklers at rallies attended by President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua among a host of learders in Kericho and Bomet counties over the weekend, may be ‘living on borrowed time.’
Some residents in the two counties were seen and heard heckling some local leaders, prompting Ruto to ask them to wait for 2027 to vote them out instead of making noise, while Gachagua warned them against ‘misbehaving while the Head of State is around.’
Now, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki has ordered a crackdown on organisers and financiers of the heckling.
He further directed the police to reign in on incidents of disorderly conduct in political meetings, conclude investigations and apprehend organisers, financiers and perpetrators of hooliganism.
“The security team is also tasked to reign in on incidents of disorderly conduct in political meetings, conclude investigations and apprehend the organisers, financiers and perpetrators of hooliganism, regardless of their political or social standing.”
Ruto and Gachagua’s rallies in some parts of Rift Valley and Mt. Kenya, their strongholds have been marred by incidences of heckling targeting local leaders such as governors, senators and MPs.
Kindiki issued the directive during a consultative forum with the Kericho county security and intelligence committee, led by County Commissioner Gabriel Kitiyo.
The meeting also focused on the ongoing crackdown against the manufacture, distribution, sale, and consumption of illicit liquor and narcotic drugs across the Country.
“The manufacture, sale and consumption of illicit alcohol and narcotic drugs is an existential National Security threat that the government is determined to permanently eradicate, by suppressing the supply chain for the dangerous substances,” said the CS.
He warned that security officers who fail to play their roles will be held liable.
“Security managers at all levels countrywide are directed to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the 25-point policy and operational guidelines issued by the Government on March 6, 2024 and will be held individually liable for any failure in eradication of poisonous and toxic substances within their jurisdictions.”
Kindiki also held meetings with security committees in Nandi, Uasin Gishu and Tran Nzoia counties.