Northeastern leaders defends NIS boss, tells off Gachagua

A section of leaders from the Northeastern region have come in defence of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Noordin Haji following recent attacks by Deputy President Righathi Gachagua.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, the leaders expressed their dissatisfaction with the remarks noting leveling accusations against him in the press is not only reckless but also unfortunate.

According to the leaders, Gachagua has an opportunity to raise the matter in the security committee which he is part of instead of making the matter public.

“The DP’s actions in discussing sensitive civil servants such as the Director General of the NIS in the press instead of taking his concerns to the National Security Committee in which both of them sit, are reckless and unfortunate,” a statement issued after a meeting reads.

The utterances by the DP, they noted, demean and undermine the sanctity and honour of the presidency and the government he serves.

This, even, as they demanded that he resign or face an impeachment motion.

“Following his attacks on Haji and open sabotage of President William Ruto, it is untenable for him to continue serving as Deputy President,” the statement further reads.

The leaders also commended President Ruto for agreeing to drop the Finance Bill, 2024 in its entirety.

They argued that this decision was informed by the advice of Haji.

“We believe NIS provided critical information on criminal elements that infiltrated the legitimate and peaceful protesters, which resulted in loss of life, looting of businesses and destruction of property,” he said.

While addressing the press in Mombasa Wednesday, Gachagua laid an accusing at Haji for allegedly failing to act on his mandate.

“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the President, the government and the people of Kenya,” he said.

The remarks by the leaders follow that of former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho who also told off the DP for blaming Haji.

Joho described Gachagua’s statements as “disturbing”.

“Having listened keenly to the address by the Deputy President this evening, I find it disturbing that a leader of his stature would issue such statements at a time when the government needs to be seen to be pulling in one direction,” he said.

The outbursts by the DP, they further claimed, stem from reports by NIS that implicated him as a financier and planner of the criminal elements that infiltrated the peaceful and legitimate protests.