Omtatah condemns NIS, KDF for interference over 'RutoMustGo' campaign

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has condemned the involvement of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) in the politically charged “RutoMustGo” campaign, calling it a clear violation of Kenya’s Constitution.

Omtatah’s comments follow public remarks made by NIS and KDF officials during a lecture at the National Intelligence and Research University on Thursday, March 27, where the officials framed the campaign as a threat to national security.

In a statement Omtatah expressed deep concern over the security agencies' participation in political matters, noting hat their involvement goes against the law.

According to the lawmaker, the constitutional mandate for these agencies is to remain neutral and apolitical. Adding that their interference compromises the integrity and independence of Kenya’s security institutions.

Omtatah pointed to Article 239(3) of the Constitution, which explicitly prohibits national security organs from acting in a partisan manner or furthering the interests of a political party.

He highlighted that the NIS and KDF's comments on the “Ruto Must Go” campaign breached this constitutional requirement, undermining their independence.

“The remarks by the NIS and CDF regarding the ‘Ruto Must Go’ campaign violate their constitutional obligation to maintain neutrality,” Omtatah said.

“These actions compromise the independence and impartiality of the security agencies and risk undermining the public’s trust in them.”

Omtatah further referenced Section 8(2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, which mandates that the KDF’s actions must align with the Constitution and the law and is not authorized to engage in domestic political affairs.

According to him, the military’s role is to defend the nation’s sovereignty, not to intervene in political issues. 

Calling for immediate action, Omtatah demanded that the government take decisive steps to restore the neutrality of Kenya’s security agencies as well as parliamentary investigations into the possible misuse of state security agencies for political purposes.

Omtatah also called for the cessation of any engagement by these agencies in political matters and urged the NIS Director-General and the CDF to publicly reaffirm their commitment to neutrality. 

“Kenya’s democracy and freedoms must be defended at all costs,” Omtatah concluded. “We cannot allow security institutions to be weaponized for political suppression.”