DP Ruto tells security officers to stick to their lane

DP William Ruto addresses the Kisii residents.

Deputy President William Ruto has told police officers and their boss Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to stop engaging in politics and do the jobs that they are paid to do.

Addressing his supporters in Kisii on Thursday, DP Ruto claimed that police officers had been dragged into politics with threats and intimidation and that they should stop.

“I want to tell the IG not to accept political assignments because his job is not politics, his job is security,” he said amid cheers from a crowd.

He also told administrators to disregard directives from their bosses to cause chaos in political gatherings.

“Let us respect administrators so that they can do their jobs… And all those who work in the provincial administration they should carry out their jobs in according with the law. And they should not accept illegal political assignments,” the DP said.

He claimed that a section of residents had been given money by his political enemies to cause chaos but only a few of the residents heeded to the advice.

Deputy President William Ruto arrives in Kisii town. [Mike Kihaki, Standard]

In the morning, riots were witnessed in Kisii County ahead of his visit to the region.

Mobs protesting for and against Ruto visit woke up as early as 5am to barricade the Daraja Moja-Kisii road turning the road into a battleground.

Police officers used teargas to disperse the two rival groups.

When the clashes subsided, police patrolled with the streets as the new Kisii Regional Commissioner Magu Mutindika held a security meeting with Regional Police Commandant Lydia Ligami and DCI's David Kipsoi.

Ruto was set to fundraise for a boda-boda Sacco at Nyanchwa grounds before addressing a rally in the town.

He would then proceed to Nyamarambe Sports Ground in South Mugirango for another Harambee in aid of women and youth.