By Peter Ochieng
Some leaders from North Eastern on Thursday issued a strongly worded statement against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a day after he accused Director General, National Intelligence Service (NIS) Noordin Haji of incompetence.
Addressing the press in Mombasa on Wednesday, Gachagua urged Haji to resign, claiming that he failed to advise President William Ruto on the magnitude of countrywide demonstrations against the Finance Bill, 2024, witnessed in the country on Tuesday.
Demonstrators overpowered police and invaded Parliament, with over 10 people reportedly being shot dead during the fracas. Gachagua said Haji should take responsibility for the deaths.
In response, North Eastern leaders led by Lagdera Member of Parliament (MP) Farah Maalim said they are deeply dismayed by the Deputy President’s public statement, questioning the integrity and competence of constitutional office holders, Noordin Haji.
“The Presidency, including the officer of the Deputy President, bears significant responsibilities and commands respect under the Constitution of Kenya. Yet, the Deputy President’s actions in discussing sensitive civil servants such as the Director General of the NIS in the press instead of taking his concerns to the National Security Committee in which both of them sit, are reckless and unfortunate,” they stated.
They asserted that President William Ruto withdrew the unpopular Finance Bill, 2024, after getting intelligence reports from Haji and his team.
“We, the leaders, firmly support the President’s decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 in response to widespread dissatisfaction expressed through nationwide protests. This decision which in our view was duly informed by the advice of Director General of National Intelligence Service Mr. Noordin Haji. We also believe the National Intelligence Service provided critical information on criminal elements that infiltrated the legitimate and peaceful protesters, which resulted in loss of life, looting of businesses and destruction of property.”
They challenged Gachagua to “come out and clarify to the Kenyan public his knowledge of the individuals responsible for the violence that took over the otherwise peaceful protest of Generation Z and caused death and destruction.”
Following his attacks on the Director General, Noordin Haji, and his open sabotage of president Ruto, the leaders stated that it is untenable for Gachagua to continue serving as Deputy President.
They urged him to resign immediately, “Failure to do so will compel us as members of
Parliament to pursue impeachment proceedings against him.”