Tension brewing in Kenya as intelligence service boss responds to deputy president’s accusations amid protests

The director general of Kenya’s National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji, has firmly rebutted allegations from Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who held the NIS responsible for failing to preempt the recent anti-government protests.

During a press conference in Mombasa on Wednesday (26 June), Gachagua criticised the NIS for allegedly not informing President William Ruto of the brewing unrest.

“Ruto deserves better; he deserves a DG who knows what he is doing, who is effective and can analyse situations to keep the government informed,” Gachagua stated.

He further expressed embarrassment that it took widespread protests, resulting in deaths and destruction, for the president to learn the full extent of the situation.

In a press release dated the same 26 June, Haji expressed his surprise at Gachagua’s remarks. “I have the utmost respect for the office of Deputy President, so I do not wish to be drawn into an altercation with the current holder,” Haji said.

“But since he has brought my reputation and that of the service into disrepute, I am constrained to state hereunder.”

Haji clarified that he reports directly to President Ruto, implying that Gachagua may not be fully aware of the intelligence provided to the President.

He suggested that Gachagua’s criticism might be influenced by a personal agenda, stating, “The DP’s actions and words suggest that he has a personal interest in the intelligence briefs revolving around the protests. Could it be that he is worried that the NIS may have pinned responsibility at his doorstep?”

Addressing Gachagua’s comment about his previous role at the NIS, Haji corrected the record by stating, “I was Deputy Director at NIS when I was appointed DPP, not a ‘junior officer’ as alleged by the DP.”

He further accused Gachagua of harbouring bitterness over the removal of certain individuals from the NIS, whom he claimed were sabotaging President Ruto’s administration.

Haji concluded his statement with a strong warning, stating that the NIS has files and extensive information about the DP that is damaging to him and inviting him to “shed off the DP tag so that this service can show him what a personal fight looks like.”

He affirmed that the NIS would not be swayed by Gachagua’s alleged attempts to manipulate intelligence for political gain.

“We shall not fall prey to the DP’s tribal politics of division. Neither will we tailor our intelligence to fit into the DP’s power-hungry designs. Whatever his problems are, the NIS is not party to them and he must carry his heavy cross.”

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