Don’t take political sides, DP Ruto tells police, judiciary

Deputy President William Ruto has cautioned the National Police Service and the Judiciary against being partisan while discharging their duties.

Speaking in Bahati, Nakuru County, on Thursday during the burial of Arthur Kimani, son of area MP Kimani Ngunjiri, Ruto (pictured) said the biggest threat to the country’s peace was a partisan police service.

“The biggest threat to our country is a partisan police service or a police service that listens to political interests,” he said.

The DP said the government had provided the Police Service with the necessary equipment and personnel to discharge their duties independently and hence must follow the law in doing so.

“As per the Constitution, the police service is an independent agency and should not take instructions from any quarter,” he said.

Ruto directed the Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to ensure police officers carried out their duties professionally and do not serve political interests while executing their duties.

“We expect the IG to provide leadership and command that will ensure we have a professional and independent service that does not bend to political interests or partisan considerations, added the DP

He said the Police Service should stop apportioning blame on certain political quarters and instead protect the rights and property of all Kenyans regardless of their political affiliations.

“Police have no excuse to blame any political side, but have a duty to protect the right and property of everyone in the country,” he said.

He also told Judiciary officers to stand out to be counted by discharging their duties fairly without leaning to any political side.

“An independent Judiciary is a pillar in the rule of law we expect them to stand up and be counted and not to listen to any instructions from any quarters.”

He challenged the Judiciary to defend the independence of other agencies as that is the safest route to a stable and prosperous country.

CS Matiang’i remarks

The DP remarks come after Interior CS Dr Fred Matiang'i complained that the courts were releasing politicians implicated in crimes on lenient bail terms.

He asked the courts to impose heavy bail terms on politicians who are linked to hate speech, saying he is "ready to go beyond the tough talk”.

The CS additionally issued a fresh warning to politicians whom he accused of fanning ethnic hatred.

Citing the events at the Matungu and Kabuchai by-elections, he warned that the government would not sit back and watch politicians drive the country to violence.

“Unless we behave differently, we are taking our country to dangerous levels,” said Matiang'i.

Mutyambai also took issues with the court process.

“It discourages us as police to see one being arraigned in court only to leave after paying a fine and we never hear about the matter again,” he said.

Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho said the government was committed to ensuring that all citizens are safe.

Tangatanga MPs arrested

Four legislators allied to Ruto were arrested last week for allegedly planning chaos during the just-concluded by-election in Kabuchai before being charged in a Bungoma court with possession of weapons and refusing to have their fingerprints taken after their arrest on Thursday.

Didimus Barasa (Kimilili), Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Chesumei MP Wilson Kogo and their Belgut counterpart Nelson Koech were, however, denied the charges and were released on Sh50,000 bond each.

There was violence at Busakala Primary School in Kabuchai when a group of youths roughed Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon MP), nominated Senator Millicent Omanga and Lungalunga’s Khatib Mwashetani over vote bribery claims.

Another Ruto ally, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was also arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting an IEBC official in Matungu during the by-election.

The politicians have, however, their arrest unlawful and accused the government of using independent agencies to persecute leaders associated with Ruto.