Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has ordered the arrest of hecklers in presidential functions amid factional conflicts in the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Kindiki issued the directive in an early-morning meeting with Kericho county as he embarked on an extensive tour taking him to seven counties on Monday.
“The security team is also tasked to reign in on disorderly conduct in political meetings, conclude investigations and apprehend the organisers, financiers, and perpetrators of hooliganism, regardless of their political or social standing,” he declared.
The directive followed heckling incidents during rally-styled presidential functions during President William Ruto’s visit to Kericho. Rival factions reportedly retained youths to stage hostile reception against targeted speakers who accompanied President Ruto.
Kindiki’s directive came a day after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua read the riot act to Rift Valley leaders, asking them to desist from internal conflicts and prioritize public service.
Gachagua said it was shameful and disdainful for leaders to make President Ruto a laughingstock as they publicly fight for supremacy in the region in the presence of the Head of State.
Ferried goons
Speaking during a church service at AIC Kapsabet, the DP said it was no longer acceptable for leaders from the region to engage in disrespectful exchanges in front of the president.
“This infighting in the President’s backyard is very shameful. The people of the Rift Valley must not take the presidency for granted,” said Gachagua.
He said the spectacles he linked to the ferrying of goons to President Ruto’s development meetings must stop.
“The President’s meetings cannot be chaotic like we saw in Kericho and Bomet. We must be careful with the way we handle the Presidency. The only way to show the other people you appreciate their support is to respect the President,” he warned.
In Bomet on Saturday, the DP asked leaders to deal with their local issues away from the President’s eye.
“I will not associate with anyone from this region who disrespects the President. Be it a Governor, Senator, MP, or anybody from this region. We want total respect for the president,” he emphasized.
To stop similar happenings in the future, the DP promised to summon the leaders for a meeting.
“I am going to call all the leaders from the counties here in North and South Rift to explain to me what the problem is and why they are eager to embarrass our President,” he said.
