Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has issued a stern warning to Azimio leader Raila Odinga regarding the ongoing Sunday rallies.
Speaking during a press conference at Harambee House on Monday, February 6, Kindiki warned Raila not to disrupt any businesses or contradict the law, or he would face the full force of the police force.
He stated that they had the right to hold peaceful protests, but that any form of chaos would not be tolerated.
“Politicians come from various sectors, some of them from the opposition, but my business is to hear from them, what they think we can do to make our country safe, period. As to their politics, they can go and do it elsewhere. Some of them are doing demonstrations, I have no business with that, I don’t care. But on one condition, they keep law and order.
“The day they will try to break the law, breach the peace, incite public disorder, that is the day the full weight of the ministry of Interior will come on them. They can do rallies so long as they don’t disrupt businesses, don’t insult,” he stated.
Kindiki cited President William Ruto’s remarks about the security sector distancing itself from politics and instead serving Kenyans in general.
He stated that his Ministry would pursue influential figures who intended to harm the country for commercial or political gain.
“We have completely depoliticised the security sector and we’re not available to discuss, or engage in partisan politics. You’ve heard the president himself say that he doesn’t want the support of security agencies to do politics and he has enough supporters and leaders elected on his party who will help him transact his politics.
“Therefore, if any leader of whatever political formation is implicated in hurting our country for political or commercial reasons, I have made it clear in my consultations with them that we will be ruthless with them.”
In reference to the cattle rustling situation in the Northern region, he said that any political figures who fund or influence the vice would face the full force of the law.
“We will deal with them without mercy, whether they are the opposition, or government because it is not the political objective of any party to murder other people and steal their cattle or disrupt social activities,” he pointed out.
Furthermore, the Interior CS deployed 9,000 officers in various security hotspots to combat criminal activity in the regions. He confirmed that the deployment would be based on security needs.
“The new officers will be deployed to security hot spots across the country immediately to further buttress the security of our people and their property,” he revealed.
