Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Monday ordered a crackdown on organisers and financers of the heckling that was witnessed in Kericho and Bomet counties during President William Ruto's visit in the Rift over the weekend
On Monday, the CS announced that 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 in the county, regardless of their political or social standing.
"You must expeditiously conclude investigations into the recent incidents and apprehend all persons who organise, finance, and orchestrate hooliganism in the county," Kindiki said.
The Interior boss told the Kericho County Security Management Team that they have done commendably well in law enforcement and prevention of crime.
However, while acknowledging that crime statistics have gone down, Kindiki stated that incidents of disorderly conduct and violence in political meetings are unacceptable.
On Sunday, Deputy President Rigathu Gachagua said he would summon leaders from the Rift Valley for an explanation of why there are reported political unease in the region.
Gachagua said the region which voted for President William Ruto to a man in the 2022 general election should not be experiencing any political tension.
“I’m going to invite all leaders from South and North Rift Valley to get a better explanation why some people from the region are heckling leaders in presidential functions,” he said.
“What we saw in Kericho and Bomet during a presidential working tour in the two counties is disheartening and must stop since all the positive things for the tour were overshadowed by the negative," Gachagua said.
The DP told leaders from the region to stop supremacy battles among themselves since the 2027 general elections are still far.
“Why should one hire youths to heckle those in office…if you think they have failed, wait until elections are called and vote them out,” Gachagua said.
Kindiki was speaking after having an early morning consultative forum with the Kericho County Security and Intelligence Committee led by County Commissioner Gabriel Kitiyo on the Nationwide Crackdown on the manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of illicit liquor, narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
Security managers at all levels countrywide were directed to ensure strict compliance and enforcement of the 25-point policy and operational guidelines on curbing illicit brew and substance abuse issued by the government on March 6, 2024 .
Kindiki highlighted that security managers will be held individually liable for any failure in the eradication of illicit substances within their jurisdictions.
