Kindiki Threatens Action On Raila Over Incitement During Anti-Ruto Protests

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki issued a warning to Azimio leader Raila Odinga over disrupting the peace by conducting the ongoing public rallies every Sunday.

Speaking to the press at Harambee House on Monday, February 6, Kindiki warned Raila against conducting any acts during the rally that might threaten the normal business operations and peaceful atmosphere in the country.

In addition, he warned that adequate security forces will not hesitate to use force in the event he is found to have overstepped his ambition of carrying out peaceful demonstrations against the President William Ruto regime.

"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 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," he stated.

He assured that they had a right to conduct peaceful demonstrations but will not entertain any form of chaos that comes from the rallies.

"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 made reference to President Ruto's remarks urging the security sector to deal with serving Kenyans in general instead of being derailed by political issues, affirming that his Ministry will deal ruthlessly with those influential figures who intend to harm the country for their selfish 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," he added. 

Kindiki further promised action on any political figures financing or influencing the cattle rustling situation in the Northern region.

"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."

To ensure that the message hits home, and in seeming preparation for future public rallies, the CS deployed 9,000 officers in various security hotspots across the country to combat rising criminal cases. These are 6,000 police officers and 3,000 police officers.

"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.

He also revealed that mugging cases in Nairobi which were rampant between September and October 2022, have been contained.