Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come under intense scrutiny following his recent comments on the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and its Director, Noordin Haji.
Gachagua’s statements have ignited a wave of criticism from experts and politicians, who argue that he has inadvertently revealed significant weaknesses within President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking from Mombasa on Wednesday, Gachagua criticized the NIS under Haji’s leadership, accusing the agency of failing to provide critical intelligence on key national issues.
He lamented that since Haji took over from Major General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru in June 2023, the NIS has been ineffective, particularly in assessing public sentiment regarding the now-withdrawn Finance Bill 2024.
“I sympathize with President Ruto because this information (the possibility of the youths demonstrating against the Finance Bill) was not available to him. NIS is mandated to provide such information, and that is where the problem is; we have a dysfunctional NIS that has exposed the President, the government, and the people of Kenya,” Gachagua stated.
Security expert Eric Kokeyo responded sharply to Gachagua’s remarks, suggesting that the Deputy President’s comments confirmed widespread concerns about the government’s operational deficiencies.
Kokeyo argued that Gachagua’s statement not only pointed to a demotivated and ineffective NIS but also suggested that the administration was struggling to maintain its foundational vision.
“The statement by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday only confirmed our fears that the two-year-old regime was already dysfunctional, in tatters, and a pale shadow of its original dream,” Kokeyo said.
Kokeyo further asserted that Gachagua’s remarks have significant implications for President Ruto.
By admitting that recent unrest and property damage were partly due to security failures, Gachagua has cast Ruto as a leader dependent on unreliable information to manage dissent.
“When Gachagua openly admits that the loss of lives and destruction of property was caused by security negligence within the government, he has exposed his boss as naked and relying on unfounded rumours in the management of dissenting voices,” Kokeyo emphasized.
The controversy surrounding Gachagua’s comments has raised questions about the efficacy of Kenya’s intelligence apparatus and the overall stability of President Ruto’s administration as it navigates through these challenges.