Gachagua Has Crossed the Line, Action Must Be Taken, Says Eldoret Human Rights Activist

Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has called for urgent investigations and possible action against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks allegedly linking Kenya’s security agencies to ethnic and political interests.

Ngetich, who spoke on behalf of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, said recent claims attributed to Gachagua that security officers from the Kikuyu community had visited him and relayed government security information were alarming and could undermine the integrity, neutrality and professionalism of the country’s security institutions.

The activist said the statements, if left unaddressed, risk creating unnecessary suspicion among members of the police service, military and other security agencies, while also damaging public confidence in institutions mandated to protect the country.

“Gachagua has crossed the line. We are warning him against what we can describe as the ethnicising and politicising of security forces. This is a red line that should not be treated casually by the government or by the relevant national security organs,” Ngetich said.

He argued that it was dangerous for any political leader to suggest that officers from a particular ethnic community were operating outside the official command structure or were sharing confidential state information with individuals who are not part of the current government.

According to Ngetich, such claims could create the impression that security agencies are divided along ethnic or political lines, a situation he warned could weaken discipline and institutional unity within the country’s security apparatus.

“It is extremely dangerous to politicise and ethnicise the security forces. Making allegations that an individual who currently holds no government position has access to government security secrets is not a small matter. It poses a potential risk to the security of the entire nation,” he said.

Ngetich said Kenya’s security officers are expected to serve the Constitution, the people of Kenya and their respective leadership structures, regardless of their ethnic background, political beliefs or region of origin.

He maintained that the disciplined forces must remain independent from political competition and should never be portrayed as loyal to individual politicians, political parties or ethnic communities.

The activist said the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy was concerned that continued public claims about alleged infiltration of security institutions could erode the public’s trust in the police, Kenya Defence Forces, National Intelligence Service and other agencies responsible for national security.

“When the public is made to believe that certain police or military units are protecting the interests of one ethnic group or one political faction, those institutions begin to lose legitimacy. Their neutrality is questioned, their professionalism is doubted and public trust is weakened,” Ngetich said.

He called on the National Intelligence Service, the National Police Service and other relevant security agencies to establish whether the alleged claims made by Gachagua have any basis and whether they amount to conduct capable of threatening national peace, cohesion or security.

Ngetich said the country must be assured that the security of Kenya, its leadership and its constitutional order is guaranteed at all times.

“We want to be assured that the security of this country and the leadership of the nation is protected. We cannot allow a situation where public statements create fear that the security apparatus has been infiltrated or divided along tribal lines,” he said.

The Eldoret activist further claimed that Gachagua’s statements amounted to a betrayal of security officers from the Mt Kenya region, whom he described as disciplined, law-abiding and committed to serving the country under the Constitution.

He said it was unfair and irresponsible to drag officers from any community into political disputes, arguing that such remarks could expose them to suspicion and hostility from other Kenyans.

“Our security officers from Mt Kenya, just like officers from every other region, are loyal and disciplined citizens. They serve Kenya, the Constitution and their commanders. They should not be dragged into political narratives that seek to portray them as belonging to a particular political camp,” Ngetich said.

He warned that the use of ethnic narratives around security agencies has, in some African countries, contributed to instability, political violence and military takeovers.

Ngetich said Kenya must learn from the experiences of other nations where political leaders used ethnicity, claims of infiltration and allegations of divided loyalty within security institutions to advance personal political interests.

“Several military coups and political crises in Africa have followed a familiar narrative involving ethnicity, alleged infiltration and mistrust within security institutions. Kenya cannot afford to entertain such dangerous narratives,” he said.

The activist accused the former Deputy President of engaging in what he termed as provocative political rhetoric, warning that unchecked statements could fuel division, hatred and possible bloodshed.

He urged political leaders to exercise restraint and responsibility, especially when addressing issues involving the military, police, intelligence agencies and national security.

Ngetich said no leader should consider themselves above the law or believe they have immunity when making statements that could compromise the safety and stability of the country.

“Gachagua should be warned that no one has the impunity to joke with the security of this country. Kenya is bigger than any individual politician. No person should be allowed to use national security matters for political mileage or personal interests,” he said.

He further called on the government to take lawful action where evidence shows that any public utterances are intended to incite, mislead the public, promote ethnic hostility or interfere with the independence of security agencies.

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, he said, supports Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for publicly stating that the government was closely monitoring utterances made by the former Deputy President.

Ngetich said the Interior Ministry and all relevant agencies must remain vigilant to ensure that political statements do not undermine the country’s peace and security.

“We firmly support the Interior CS for affirming that the government is monitoring closely the utterances made by Mr Gachagua. No effort should be spared in protecting the integrity of our security agencies and preserving the peace, unity and stability of Kenya,” he said.

He added that Kenya’s security agencies should remain professional, non-partisan and free from ethnic influence, noting that their credibility depends on the public’s confidence that they serve every Kenyan equally.

Ngetich urged leaders across the political divide to avoid using inflammatory language, ethnic mobilisation and security-related allegations as tools for political competition.

He said the country needed leaders who promote unity, peace and respect for institutions, rather than those who create fear and suspicion among citizens.

“The security forces belong to Kenya, not to a tribe, a region or a politician. Any attempt to portray them differently is dangerous and must be rejected by all peace-loving Kenyans,” Ngetich said.