Nyandarua Senator John Methu has come out against Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli for addressing a public rally in Eldoret.
In a statement on Thursday, July 24, Methu condemned the involvement of police officers in what he termed political events.
He accused President William Ruto of using the police to campaign for him.
"To resuscitate his dead political career, Mr. William Samoei Ruto has now dispatched our men in uniform led by IG Douglas Kanja and DIG Masengeli to campaign for him. This is the lowest, the 'independent' national police service can go," he said.
On Wednesday, July 23, Masengeli had accompanied Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to Uasin Gishu County as part of the Jukwaa La Usalama tour.
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Later in the evening, the CS and his delegation held a roadside rally outside the Silver Line Hotel in Eldoret’s CBD.
During the rally, Murkomen acknowledged Masengeli’s presence and invited him to speak to the gathered crowd.
Masengeli used the opportunity to call for peace and a collective stand against drug abuse.
"People of Uasin Gishu, how are you? I kindly ask this: let us respect each other and live in peace, and those who are bringing drugs will all be arrested. You are the generation of tomorrow, and we are just your servants," he said.
Murkomen, however, defended the decision to allow Masengeli to speak, saying it was purely to address security issues and not politically driven.
Earlier in the year, the National Police Service (NPS) was forced to issue a clarification after the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja attended Ruto's event in Kieni, Nyeri County.
In its statement on Thursday, April 3, NPS termed the claims as misleading, insisting that the IG would not engage in activities that undermine the neutrality of his office.
“NPS categorically refutes these claims and reaffirms the IG’s unwavering commitment to constitutional impartiality in serving all Kenyans, devoid of political bias. At no time has the IG engaged in activities that could undermine the neutrality of his office,” the statement read.
According to the NPS, Kanja’s presence in Nyeri was for official duties, particularly overseeing security arrangements during the President’s development tour.
“The IG's presence in Nyeri was strictly in line with his official duties, including oversight of security arrangements during the President's development tour, a core mandate of the NPS under Section 24 of the National Police Service Act, 2011 and the NPS Standing Orders Chapter 7, Section 8.
"The Presidential Escort Unit (PEU) is legally tasked with protecting the President, visiting dignitaries, and other designated VIPs under the direction of the Inspector General of Police,” the statement added.
