Keep off politics, Gachagua tells military boss

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nyandarua Senator John Methu during an ordination service in Redeemed Church in Naivasha on 29/3/25. He called on the military to keep off from politics. [Antony Gitonga]

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lashed out at the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Charles Kahariri and told him to keep off politics.

Gachagua termed sentiments by Kahariri on the status of President William Ruto as worrying, noting that defense forces should remain apolitical.

The CDF made the comments at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi during an inaugural public lecture by the Director General of the National Intelligence Service Noordin Haji last week.

“Even as people exercise their rights, we should be within limits and bound so that we don’t tear our country aprt. As military our co value is that we are apolitical. We don’t support any political camp. We defend the constitution and the government of the day,” Gen Kahariri asserted.

Speaking in Naivasha town after members of the public thwarted an attempt by the police to stop the former DP from addressing them, Gachagua took issue with Kahariri adding that Kenyans respected the defense forces and had trust in them.

The tens of officers armed to the teeth watched helplessly as Gachagua and a host of leaders addressed residents amid chants of ‘Ruto must Go’.

It all started as Redeemed Gospel Church in Naivasha where the leaders joined worshipers in the ordination of Reverend Harrison Munyua before heading to the CBD.

Gachagua noted that voters had the democratic right to remove the President from office constitutionally, adding that threats from the CDF would not stop them.

“We are shocked by the sentiment from General Kahariri and he should do his work of protecting the country from outside forces and keep off politics,” he said.

On the planned visit by the head of State to Central Kenya, Gachagua said that millions of shillings set for development had been reallocated to the visit that has continued to draw heat.

“A lot of money has been set aside as the President brings in more lies and we are calling on the electorate to make sure that they get a chunk of it,” he said.

He said that he was aware of a plan by the government to stop his meetings through the police, adding that this would not deter him from meeting the people.

“As we speak the illicit brew menace in Central Kenya is back while a court has issued an order to bury some of the youths killed during the protests in Nairobi,” he said.

On his part, Nyandarua Senator John Methu said that they would continue to agitate for the rights of all Kenyans noting that intimidation would not work.

“We are tired of the President's lies even as he plans to tour Central Kenya next week and we shall not keep quiet,” he said.

Naivasha MP Jane Kihara who was the host said that area residents were still waiting for the President to keep his promises of roads, water and the area hospital.

Others who spoke were Kajiado North Mp Onesmus Ngogoyo who vowed that the leaders would make sure that Ruto was not elected back into office come 2027.