Why Kenyans are worried about military, security chiefs’ political rhetoric

Kenyans continue to raise questions on what is being perceived as systematic destruction of independent offices by President William Ruto’s administration.

This even as a storm was ignited last week by the involvement of the top security bosses including Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji persists with Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja being the latest to be drawn to political developments in the Country.

Civil Society groups, human rights defenders, and opposition leaders argue that the involvement of security and military officers in politics violates the 2010 Constitution.

Activist and Busia Senator Okiya Omtata condemned the involvement of the military, NIS the National Police Service (NPS) in politics and urged the top security officers to reaffirm their neutrality as stipulated in the Constitution.

“We will not allow security institutions to be weaponised for political suppression,” Omtatah stated.

According to Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, President Ruto has panicked and resorted to enlisting the military to help him contain the growing public dissent especially since the Gen Z protests last year.

Kalonzo called on President Ruto not to bring politics into the military, as he added that it is a violation of democracy and unacceptable.

“Do not bring politics into the military. ‘Ruto Must Go’ is a clarion call to remove Ruto from office through constitutional means. Ruto is now sending the military to help him. That is unacceptable. We have come of age as a democracy,” the Wiper leader stated.

On her part, People’s Liberation Party Leader Martha Karua warned against silencing the public through frustration and intimidation..

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua also echoed the sentiments, urging the military to stay out of politics.

“Do not bring politics into the military. ‘Ruto Must Go’ is a clarion call to remove Ruto from office through constitutional means,” Gachagua stated during a rally last week.

Political analyst Herman Manyora says the involvement of the military in politics will erode trust in the security chiefs.

He accuses the security chiefs of wanting to please the president.

The political analyst compares ‘Ruto Must Go’ jeers to the 2004 chants when Kenyans chanted ‘Moi must go’ to push for the end of 24 years of his rule under Kanu.

“At what cost do the security chiefs want to make Ruto happy? This is not new. In 2002, Kenyans chanted ‘Moi Must Go’ after 24 years of his rule. Ruto is not immune to public anger,” Manyora stated.

The the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) yesterday demanded an apology or immediate resignation of Kanja over his engagement in a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County.

In a statement to the press, LSK President Faith Odhiambo stated it is wrong for the IG to engage in political rallies, as she added that it will lead to a lapse in judgment.

Odhiambo accused the IG of having misplaced priorities.

“The Law Society of Kenya demands an immediate public apology by the Inspector-General for his conduct yesterday, which is unbecoming of the position he holds. We equally demand that Kanja forthwith withdraw and restrain from engaging in any political mobilization, rallies, and/or discourse, especially in his official capacity as the Inspector-General of Police,” LSK demanded.

The LSK president called on Kanja to re-evaluate his tasks and do what is required of him by the law and Kenyans.

Odhiambo further added that if the IG is not willing to stop the political biasness, he should resign from the post.

“In the alternative, we invite Kanja to step aside from the position of Inspector-General and allow the role to be occupied by an individual willing to serve all Kenyans without imposing their political biases on the people of Kenya,” she affirmed.

LSK quoted Clause 94 of Chapter 24 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, which prohibits members of the service from making statements that compromise their ability to serve the government of the day in a politically neutral manner.

Kanja was yesterday seen in a rally with the Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Kieni, Nyeri County.

The IG was called upon by Kindiki to say hi to the constituents, which he did.

In his remarks, Kanja asked the residents of Kieni if they were happy to see the president and whether they were grateful.

“Are you happy to see our president here? Are you grateful? Would you like him to come back here? On our part, we have done our job,” he stated.

Last week, speaking at a public lecture for the National Intelligence and Research University, the CDF and the NIS boss warned against the publicised anti-Ruto campaigns, dubbed ‘Ruto Must Go,’ amid growing chants at the president’s public forums and events, the most recent being during the international match between Gabon and Kenya.

Speaking on “Kenya’s evolving security landscape”, Haji said: “The recent developments, particularly the Gen Z protests, demonstrated the destabilising effect of digital activism, which tested our political, economic, and security resilience.”

Gen Kahariri, on his part, warned: ““Kenyans have the right to express their opinions, but this must be done in a manner that upholds peace and stability. As the military, our role is not political. We serve to defend the Constitution and support the government of the day.”

Despite the criticism, Haji maintained the same stance yesterday.

Speaking at the Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Naivasha, he said: “Across the continent, we have seen a considerable increase in the use of social media platforms for advocacy and mobilisation for civil actions. However, this has led to the emergence of coordinated and sustained misinformation and disinformation.”

“The misinformation and disinformation are aimed at misguiding citizens, leading them to make poor decisions and shaping their perceptions of their governments,” he added.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen as warned against use of modern technology in disinformation and inflammatory campaigns.

“Issues of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence to spread disinformation, spread inflammatory rhetoric, and perpetuate technology-related threats such as cyber fraud are of great concern to us,” he said.

The tough stance taken by the security chiefs is something Kenyans are likely to keep a keen eye on as political temperatures get hotter in the leadup to the 2027 elections.

During the Gen Z protests, then Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale ( now at Health) signed a Gazette notice deploying the military to assist an over police service in quelling them.

His successor, Soipan Tuya recently told the Senate that the notice is still in force, meaning military bosses are at liberty to deploy soldiers on the streets in similar situations.

There have been calls to have it rescinded.