In a sharp rebuke following Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s critique of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) concerning the Finance Bill 2024 protests, former Mombasa governor Hassan Joho has called for Gachagua’s resignation.
Joho’s statement came after Gachagua blamed the NIS for misinforming President William Ruto about the public’s sentiment towards the controversial bill.
On June 26, 2024, Gachagua publicly criticized the NIS, accusing its leadership of incompetence and misleading the president, calling on the intelligence boss Noordin Haji to resign.
Gachagua argued that it took the tragic loss of lives and extensive property damage for President Ruto to recognize the widespread public dissatisfaction with the Finance Bill 2024, attributing the delay in response to faulty intelligence from the NIS.
Joho expressed his dismay over Gachagua’s remarks, emphasizing the need for unified leadership during these turbulent times.
“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 reckless statements at a time when the government needs to be seen to be pulling in one direction,” Joho stated.
“As a country, we find ourselves in a not too familiar territory and therefore it’s incumbent upon the leadership of the country to try and restore confidence in its citizens rather than apportioning blame for failures that should be collectively owned by them,” he added.
Joho criticized Gachagua for what he perceived as tribal undertones in his speech and insisted that the Deputy President should set an example by resigning if he expects accountability from others.
“To make it worse the sentiments by Mr. Rigathi Gachagua smacks of tribal undertones and that’s the least this country needs at this time,” Joho remarked.
“I would therefore wish to see him lead by example by being the first to take responsibility and resign instead of asking for other peoples’ resignations.”
Gachagua had also urged President Ruto to reinstate three directors and thirteen assistant directors who had been reassigned to minor duties within the NIS, suggesting that their dismissal was unjust.
President Ruto, acknowledging the protests and public outcry, sent the Finance Bill 2024 back to Parliament for reconsideration, recommending the removal of all contentious clauses.
The protests, marked by significant unrest and damage, underscored the bill’s unpopularity among the Kenyan populace.
Joho’s call for Gachagua’s resignation reflects the growing tension within the government as it navigates the fallout from the Finance Bill 2024 and attempts to restore public trust amid ongoing civil discontent.
Related: “Uhuru Kenyatta you’re an inciter” Karen Nyamu fingers ex-president over Tuesday’s protests
