Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has appealed to the international community to observe the political situation in the country.
Speaking on Monday, May 26, Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of creating an environment of political repression that is beginning to spill over into neighboring countries.
"Let me appeal to the international community to take a great interest in what's happening in Kenya. We have seen what is happening in the neighboring countries; in Tanzania. The suppression of civil society and all those things are stemming from Kenya," he said.
Gachagua further accused Ruto of cracking down on opposing political leaders by removing their state security and making them vulnerable to threats.
"President William Ruto has become intolerant; he cannot take criticism and the reality of one term is slowly sinking into him, sending him into serious desperation that he has now formed a squad to deal with leaders.
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"You are aware that bodyguards attached to Members of Parliament opposed to this regime have been disarmed so that they stop going to meetings and feel vulnerable. If anything happens to either of these MPs or any leader opposed to Ruto, the president will be held to account," he noted.
Gachagua's remarks come days after Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has raised alarm over the withdrawal of her security detail, accusing President William Ruto of having a hand in it.
Speaking on Friday, May 23, Kihara said her life is at risk and squarely placed responsibility on Ruto should any harm befall her.
The lawmaker suggested that she has been targeted because of her association with Gachagua.
"If you are going to use security to frustrate friends of Rigathi Gachagua, it is all in vain; I don't think you will go very far. I need security because it is my right, and should anything happen to me, President William Ruto is to be blamed," she added.
Kihara appealed for the reinstatement of her security detail, describing the withdrawal as unfair and dangerous.
"Mr. President, please give me back my security officer; I'm a very junior person to be fought with that kind of a big punch," she further said.
