The Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has been sued over statements he made against the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General, Noordin Haji.
The petitioner, activist Fredrick Bikeri, argues that the remarks made by DP Gachagua against Haji were “untruthful, inciting, and unlawful” and do not meet the expected standards for a Public Officer under Articles 73 and 75 of the Constitution, as well as the Leadership and Integrity Act.
“The statements made by the 2nd Respondent during a press conference held on Wednesday, 25th June 2024, are misconceived, improper, untruthful, and unlawful. They were made with the intent to incite hatred against the concerned party and fall short of the standards expected from a public officer of his position as the Deputy President of Kenya,” reads the court papers.
Through lawyer Danstan Omari, Bikeri argues that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission has the responsibility to investigate the utterances by Gachagua.
“The statements made by the 2nd Respondent were intended to bring disrepute to the offices of the Director of Public Prosecution and the National Intelligence Service, and they constitute a breach of Article 10 of the Constitution on National Values and Principles,” the court documents further read.
Gachagua on Wednesday demanded that Haji step down from his position to pave the way for a more competent Director General.
Addressing the press in Mombasa, a seemingly agitated DP blamed the NIS for the current anti-government protests which he said have led to deaths and destruction.