Friday 04th April, 2025 06:00 AM|

Lately, Kenyans have been treated to shocking scenes in which commanders of the disciplined forces have been making political statements. The disturbing pattern started when both National Intelligence Service Director Noordin Haji and Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri warned citizens, especially the youth, against use of anti-government chants.

Kahariri cautioned in particular against “Ruto Must Go” chants that are mostly associated with Gen Z, whose position on the Ruto administration is well documented. And on Wednesday, Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja participated in a political rally led by President William Ruto in Kieni, Nyeri county. This behaviour is not only new but highly frightening, coming from heads of agencies that are required by law to be apolitical.

This direct engagement in a politically-charged matters violates the Constitution and the laws governing security agencies, which require them to remain neutral.

“Across Africa, history warns us of the perils when security organs entangle themselves in politics. The NIS and CDF’s public remarks at the public lecture, framing the ‘Ruto Must Go’ campaign as a threat, breach this obligation, compromising their independence,” reacted Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah.

 The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has cautioned that warnings against chanting anti-government slogans are a direct assault on Kenyans. “Given this, neither Kahariri nor Haji has the moral authority to lecture Kenyans about upholding the Constitution – they have trampled upon it.”

“The people’s right to express discontent, assemble peacefully, and demand accountability is protected by the Constitution. Kenyans will not bow to unconstitutional decrees. The people and the Constitution are supreme – not the government, not the military, and certainly not the intelligence service or any other arm of government.”

 We associate ourselves with KHRC’s concerns, as well as those the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) about the conduct of State officers heading security organs.

As the LSK warned yesterday, the conduct of the police boss raises serious institutional concerns for the National Police Service, as they “were not only avoidable but also unwarranted”.

The inspector general has a constitutional obligation to serve all Kenyans impartially, regardless of political affiliation. Their comments end up alienating them from Kenyans who don’t share their political viewpoints.