I Was Right About NIS: Gachagua Renews Call For Noordin Haji To Resign Over Abductions
At the time, he demanded that NIS Director-General Noordin Haji resign over failing to gather enough intelligence that could have been used to avert the fatal demonstrations on June 25, 2024
Marvin Chege 
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken on the sharp rise in abductions in December alone, which have sparked widespread protests and demands for the release of seven youths.
Gachagua, while speaking in a press conference at his Mathira home in Nyeri County on Friday, December 27, reiterated his no-holds-barred presser in Mombasa on June 26, 2024, whereby he accused the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for laxity in terms of relaying credible intelligence to President William Ruto.
At the time, he demanded that NIS Director-General Noordin Haji resign over failing to gather enough intelligence that could have been used to avert the fatal demonstrations on June 25, 2024, a call that he revived in his hard-hitting statement at the Head of State over the abductions.
However, this time, he extended his call to resign to the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Mohamed Amin, referring to their statements distancing their respective agencies from the abductions.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing congregants during a church service at AIPCA Kangari, Kigumo in Murang'a County on Sunday, November 24, 2024. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA
"6 months ago I demanded for the resignation of the head of the NIS. It was politicized. Today I retaliate that demand. I also demand for the resignation of the IG, DCI and DG of the NIS. They have clearly failed Kenyans," Gachagua appealed.
The former DP further claimed that he took issue with the competency of the NIS when he was still in office but his concerns were allegedly taken to be acts of an insubordinate public servant, those which would be used against him when he was impeached as Deputy President by Parliament.
"When I raised concerns about the dysfunctionality of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) I was accused of being insubordinate. However, the events of recent months have regrettably validated my position," he went on.
Gachagua urged President Ruto to take full responsibility and immediately address the alleged abductions, claiming that "To remain silent or inactive is to suggest that these actions are being carried out with his knowledge and consent."
"It is impossible to ignore the fact that the only link among the victims is their criticism of the President and his administration," he went on.
In the latest wave of social media outrage, Kenyans were up in arms online over the alleged disappearance of a popular cartoonist Kibet Bull, who was allegedly taken by unknown persons on December 24 as he was leaving his office.
Pressure on security agencies became so immense, that Police IG Kanja was forced to issue a statement on Wednesday distancing police from any involvement in abductions.
Kanja's statement, however, only raised more questions than answers as the public was left to wonder who was behind the abductions. Narc-K party leader Martha Karua, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and AUC Chairperson hopeful Raila Odinga are among other prominent names to pile pressure on IG Kanja to bring more clarity to the situation.
The number of abducted Kenyans since June stands at 82. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) revealed that out of the reported cases, 29 people are still missing, six of which were allegedly abducted in December this year alone.
