Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called out the government over its handling of the recent Saba Saba protests, accusing it of failure to protect citizens and businesses.
Speaking on Thursday, July 10, Nyoro said the government is responsible for the chaos and tragedy that unfolded during the protests.
He also sympathised with the family of over 50 Kenyans who have lost their lives in the recent anti-government protests.
"I stand here to send my condolences to the family of over 50 Kenyans who have lost their lives in the hands of the government for the last one month alone.
"Whatever happened on Monday, July 7, the government must bear all the responsibility for all the businesses burned and all the lives lost," he said.
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Nyoro also raised concerns over the effectiveness of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), questioning whether the state had knowledge of the unrest.
"And I have some questions for the people and government; was there intelligence that there was mayhem to be vetted upon the people of Kenya? If there was no intelligence, I want to remind them, taxpayers in Kenya are giving the government Ksh50 billion for intelligence gathering alone.
"Therefore, if the government did not have information that such things would happen, then they have no business calling themselves government," he added.
Nyoro's remarks come a day after President William Ruto challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to provide evidence supporting claims that the government orchestrated violence and destruction of property in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 9, Ruto said if Gachagua has information implicating a government official in the violence, he should come forward and share it with the public.
"If any leader has information to the effect that the burning of citizens' properties in Meru, Murang'a, Kiambu and Kirinyaga was orchestrated by any official in government, you should be able to provide that information to the public so that those behind these heinous acts can be taken to court and charged for criminal activities," he said.
In response, Gachagua questioned how he could report the perpetrators to the police, claiming that it was the police themselves who supervised the destruction and looting of property.
The former DP went on to allege that President Ruto was responsible for the violence witnessed in the region.
“How do we report state-sponsored militia and those who organized them to the police who supervised them as they burned and looted property?
“You are asking us to name those who organised? I named you as the person responsible for unleashing violence against the community that made you President. How do I report you to the same police you directed to supervise and protect the militia as they brutalized Kenyans?” he posed.
