National Muslim Leaders Forum condemn DP Gachagua for castigating NIS DG Haji

A lobby for Muslim leaders has expressed its outrage and displeasure with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom they have claimed is sowing seeds of division in the country.

The National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), on Friday, accused Rigathi of using his position at the presidency to antagonise President William Ruto and other officials in the government.

NAMLEF Chairperson Abdillahi Abdi, flanked by other officials of the organisation, singled out the DP's recent attacks on National Intelligence Services (NSIS) Director General Noordin Haji.

Gachagua called for the resignation of Noordin Haji, faulting him for overseeing what he described as a decline in the agency's effectiveness.

The Muslim leaders, however, emphasised that Gachagua's sentiments have placed the country at a crossroads in a way that is testing the harmony and unity of the country.

"While the country is struggling to foster cohesion, the Deputy President has unfortunately acted as a catalyst for division and disunity, with statements that verge on hate speech," said Abdillahi.

According to the leaders, despite the DP being elected by the people of Kenya, he has publicly declared himself the leader of the Mount Kenya region only, contradicting the inclusive leadership expected from someone in his position.

"Furthermore, his actions and words have consistently favoured one community while showing disdain for others. A particularly unsavoury event occurred on June 26, 2024, when he attacked the Head of the Intelligence Services," said Abdillahi.

The National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) address journalists in Nairobi on Friday, June 28, 2024, urging Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to tone down his attacks on government officials.

In his explanation, this role is crucial to the nation's security, and there were appropriate channels available for him to express his concerns to his immediate superior, President Ruto.

"The Deputy President's decision to publicly contradict the President's address to the nation, especially after the President had responded to the demands of our youth (by withdrawing the Finance Bill, 2024), is deeply troubling. This behaviour underscores a significant breakdown in communication within the established structures, which is abnormal in our democratic governance system."

The leaders also argued that Rigathi's attempt to include the name of former President Uhuru Kenyatta in his justification for his actions is part of a larger scheme to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.

"The youth of this country have demonstrated a unity of purpose that transcends ethnic, religious, or creedal divides. As such, we believe that Kenyans should not be misused by politicians like Rigathi Gachagua to divide them along ethnic lines," he added.

NAMLEF has called on the Deputy President to reflect deeply on his recent conduct and to realign his actions and words with the responsibilities and expectations of his office.

"We urge him to act in the best interests of all Kenyans, promoting unity, respect for protocol, and the integrity of our nation's leadership."

Gachagua, while speaking in Mombasa on Wednesday, lamented that since Haji succeeded Major General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru in June 2023, the NIS has become dysfunctional, failing to adequately assess public sentiment, particularly concerning the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.

"Noordin Haji must take responsibility for the deaths that have occurred, the mayhem witnessed, and for failing Ruto, the government and Kenya by not doing his job and advising correctly. He must not just take responsibility but resign from that office and allow the president to pick a competent DG," Gachagua claimed.

NIS Director General Noordin Haji (left) and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (right) (Photo: Collage)