Stand Down! Gachagua Instructs CDF Kahariri to Return to Barracks
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Charles Kahariri to steer clear of politics following his recent remarks on the ongoing ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants.
Speaking on Saturday during the consecration of Reverend Harrison Kinyua in Naivasha, Gachagua firmly told Kahariri to “go back to the barracks” and refrain from political matters.
“I would like to tell CDF Kahariri that the military is a respected organisation in this country because it has conducted itself professionally since independence and is the only organisation Kenyans trust,” Gachagua stated.
He further cautioned, “Please do not mix politics with the affairs of the military. The military’s role is to protect Kenya from external threats, not to involve itself in the affairs of President William Ruto.”
Kahariri sparked debate after weighing in on the ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants, which have gained momentum since the Gen Z-led demonstrations in June 2024. Speaking at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi on Thursday, March 27, Kahariri, alongside National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji, warned against unconstitutional means of power transfer.
“We cannot exercise anarchy. While people have the right to express themselves, it must be within legal bounds. We cannot allow ourselves to exercise our rights to the extent of tearing apart the country,” Kahariri asserted.
He emphasized the military’s role in upholding the Constitution, stating, “We, as the military, defend the Constitution and the government duly elected by the people. If you decide that you are tired of the government you elected and start chanting ‘Must Go’, then that ‘Must Go’ must happen according to the Constitution.”
In response, Gachagua countered Kahariri’s concerns, asserting that the ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants were not unconstitutional but rather a democratic expression ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The ‘Ruto Must Go’ chants are not illegal. They are a clarion call in preparation for the upcoming elections. Ruto will be removed through the ballot in 2027, so when you hear Kenyans chanting ‘Ruto Must Go,’ it is merely a rehearsal,” Gachagua remarked.
Anti-Ruto sentiments have been increasingly vocal, both online and in public demonstrations. The chants have also been echoed in political rallies attended by President Ruto, where citizens openly express dissatisfaction with his leadership and the Kenya Kwanza government.
Authorities, however, appear to interpret these chants as attempts to undermine the presidency and remove Ruto from power through unconstitutional means.
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Stand Down! Gachagua Instructs CDF Kahariri to Return to Barracks
