Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua does not fit the leadership bill and his public utterances are a threat to national security and the stability of the country, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has said.
“It’s unfortunate that Gachagua is praying for the country to face turmoil instead of propagating peaceful co-existence by communities in Kenya. This is not leadership,” Savula said in Lugari on Monday.
“Gachagua has been a one-term MP, half-term Deputy President and is going to be a no-term President,” he added.
The former DP has been on the offensive, attacking President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration and promising to liberate Kenyans.
Savula said those seeking top office must do so with decorum, knowing they have a country to preserve instead of hurling abuses at other leaders and inciting violence.
Gachagua should “first parade his family for demonstrations” before inciting the youth to violence, the deputy governor said.
He also called for reforms within the National Police Service to rid the force of rogue officers.
The recent conduct by police officers while discharging their duties reflects a service that has lost its core values, moral standing and public trust, he said, adding that urgent reforms were needed to restore sanity.
The deputy governor urged Parliament to streamline the NPS and ensure it aligns with constitutional requirements on fundamental human rights.
"When we see police killing the same people they should be protecting, then we realise something is wrong and needs to be addressed,” he said.
"How do you explain a scenario where police just shoot a masked vendor in the head and yet he is harmless? We cannot allow such regressive actions in our democracy."
Individuals who infiltrate peaceful protests to cause chaos, loot and destroy property should be identified and dealt with according to the law, he added.
Last week, Boniface Kariuki, a mask vendor, was shot by police during protests demanding justice for the killing of teacher-turned-blogger Albert Ojwang’ at the Nairobi Central Police Station.
The incident sparked national outrage and led to the arrest of police officers Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono, who were captured on video assaulting Kariuki.
The two have since been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.
Following his election in 2022, President William Ruto established a task force, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, to recommend reforms in the police service.
Two months ago, Interior PS Raymond Omollo said implementation of the task force’s report had reached over 42 per cent.
