Kitui East MP Nimrod Mbai has issued a warning to politicians visiting his constituency, cautioning them against insulting President William Ruto.
Speaking on Tuesday, June 3, the MP urged those seeking votes to maintain respect in their campaigns.
"We will not allow anyone to insult President Ruto while in Kitui East. Those seeking votes should compete with President Ruto and respectfully ask for votes. But if you insult President Ruto, know that this is not Kitui East for you," he said.
While acknowledging the right to freedom of speech, Mbai warned that such freedom would not protect those who use it to attack the Head of State.
"So, to those coming from other regions and bringing insults here, we will not agree with you. We can allow you the freedom of speech, but we will not guarantee your freedom after speech if you insult President Ruto," he added.
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This comes at the height of heightened verbal exchanges between MPs allied to Ruto and those aligned with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
For instance, speaking in West Pokot on Saturday, May 3, Farouk hit out at Uhuru whom he accused of meddling in the running of the country.
He accused the former president of inciting the youth to lawlessness at every opportunity he gets to speak.
Farouk asked Uhuru to sit back and allow his successor the space to carry out his agenda like he was allowed for the ten years he was in power.
"We are asking the retired president to respect Kenyans. You can't be a retired head of state and then incite the public. He should allow the current president to govern.
"He was president for ten years; we were not happy with his regime, but we put up with it and allowed him to work. Every morning he wakes up to incite; he doesn't want peace for this country, we tell him that he will be defeated," he said.
In response, Gachagua accused Ruto of orchestrating attacks on the former President through proxies, daring him to deliver the insults personally.
Speaking on Sunday, May 4, Gachagua alleged that Ruto had instructed Farouk and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah to publicly insult Uhuru
"Yesterday, I saw President William Ruto had sent Farouk Kibet and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah to insult former President Uhuru Kenyatta. I want to dare Ruto to insult Uhuru himself and not by sending his proxies," he declared.
Gachagua warned Ruto to stop instructing his allies to insult Uhuru, or he will face the wrath of the Mt. Kenya people the next time he visits the region.
"During Ruto's visit to Mt. Kenya region, I called on the people of this region not to insult Ruto or heckle him. I want to say that if you continue insulting the people of this region, the next time you come here, I will direct them to insult you themselves," he warned.
