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Ruto differs with DP Gachagua over NIS and extra-judicial killings

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (left), President William Ruto and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi at the Kenya Kwanza PG meeting at State House on June 18, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

By Barack Oduor | Monday, July 1, 2024

Ruto also disagreed with his outspoken deputy over claims that extrajudicial killings had resumed under his watch, stating that these allegations were false.

President William Ruto has defended the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji, against accusations levelled against him by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

During a live roundtable media interview in Nairobi on Sunday evening, Ruto denied reports that the NIS failed to provide sufficient intelligence to the government before the youth-led anti-tax protesters invading Parliament.

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The Head of State defended the security agency, indicating that his government had enough information about the invasion.

"We had information, and that is why we prepared in the manner that we did. If we had not prepared, we would be counting different numbers of those who died," President Ruto said, claiming that only 19 lives were lost in the demonstrations.

"Criminals were heavily mobilised. In fact, many peaceful protesters left town by 10 a.m. after realising criminals had joined the protests."

Ruto also disagreed with his outspoken deputy over claims that extrajudicial killings had resumed under his watch, stating that these allegations were false.

"It is not fair to discuss the deputy president here because he is not present to explain the context in which he said those things," President Ruto stated.

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

"I'm sure if you interview the deputy president, he will answer that appropriately... but take it from me, extra-judicial killings will not be part of an administration that I'm part of," he added.

Last week, shortly after holding a press briefing in which he said his administration was dropping the widely-rejected Finance Bill, 2024, Gachagua called a media briefing, accusing Kenya's spy agency of failing to give sufficient briefs.

"Officers from the National Police Service (NPS) have told me in confidence that they did not receive advance intelligence briefs about the magnitude of the protests. Never have protesters invaded Parliament."

Gachagua went further in his accusation of Haji, saying that the former Director of Public Prosecutions was not fit for the top position in the NIS.

"When he (Haji) was appointed to the office of the Director General, he chased away all the people who were senior to him when he was in the service because of an inferiority complex, crippling NIS and making it dysfunctional," he said.

However, before being the Director of Public Prosecutions, he served as Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service.

He holds a Bachelor of Law and Masters degree from the University of Wales, Cardiff. Additionally, he holds a second Masters Degree in National Security Policy with Merit (MNSPO) from the Australian National University.

Haji was admitted to the Bar in 1999 and thereafter joined the Public Service in January 2000, working at the Attorney General's Office.

Northern Kenyan leaders, in a subsequent press conference, called for the resignation of Gachagua, who they claimed was advocating for tribal and divisive politics.

A demonstrator holds a Kenyan flag as police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters during a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 25, 2024. (Reuters)