Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has strongly criticized Kenya’s security chiefs for interfering in political matters, calling their actions unconstitutional and dangerous for democracy.
In a press statement on March 28, 2025, Omtatah condemned the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) for making public remarks against the #RutoMustGo campaign.
He accused them of stepping outside their mandate and engaging in partisan politics, something he argued is strictly prohibited by the Constitution.
According to Omtatah, these security agencies made unconstitutional statements during a lecture at the National Intelligence and Research University on March 27. He emphasized that security agencies are required to remain neutral and should not take sides in political debates.
Citing Article 239(3) of the Constitution, he reminded them that security organs must not act in a partisan manner or support any political interest.
By interfering in political discussions, Omtatah argued, the NIS and CDF were violating the law and betraying their duty to serve all Kenyans equally.
Omtatah warned that allowing security forces to be used for political purposes is a dangerous path that could destabilize the country. He pointed out that history has repeatedly shown how military and intelligence involvement in politics has led to chaos and dictatorship in other African nations.
He stated that security forces must never be used to suppress political movements or intimidate citizens who express their views. Their primary role, he said, is to protect the country and its people, not to serve the interests of a few politicians.
The #RutoMustGo campaign has been gaining momentum, with many Kenyans voicing their frustrations over governance failures and economic hardships.
The movement has sparked debate on the leadership of President William Ruto, with critics blaming his administration for the rising cost of living and widespread corruption. Omtatah accused the NIS and CDF of attempting to delegitimize the movement instead of focusing on their real responsibilities.
He insisted that security agencies should concentrate on maintaining peace and security rather than interfering with political opinions.Omtatah further called on Parliament and other oversight bodies to take action against the security chiefs for their remarks.
He demanded that the officials retract their statements and publicly reaffirm their neutrality in political matters. He also urged President Ruto to ensure that security agencies operate strictly within the law and avoid any political entanglements.
According to him, allowing security agencies to meddle in politics sets a dangerous precedent that could erode democracy and human rights in Kenya.His statement has sparked fresh debate about the role of security agencies in the country’s political circles. Many Kenyans are now watching closely to see how the government will respond to the concerns raised.
The question remains whether Kenya’s security chiefs will respect their constitutional mandate or continue down a path that could threaten democratic governance.
